On-line analysis by capillary separations interfaced to an ion trap storage/reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer

Analysis of the modification site in a small molecule-modified peptide by ion trap/time-of-flight hybrid mass spectrometry

Ion trap/time-of-flight hybrid mass spectrometers are powerful tools for the detailed structural analysis of modified peptides. We have analyzed Met-Lys-bradykinin modified with deoxycholate at the amino-terminus or the epsilon-amino group as model peptides. These two modified peptides produced fragment ions with the same nominal but different exact masses in tandem mass spectrometry with low-energy collision-induced dissociation. Accurate high-resolution analysis coupled with MS(3) allowed us to distinguish the deoxycholate modification sites in the modified peptides.

Molecularly imprinted polymers grafted to flow through poly(trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate) monoliths for capillary-based solid-phase extraction

Monolithic molecularly imprinted polymers (mMIPs) have been synthesized in a novel way using a trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate core material photo-polymerized in situ in a 100 microm I.D. UV-transparent capillary and further photo-grafted to create specific cavities in the grafted layer. This polymerization technique allows the imprints to be directly created on the surface of the material using a minimum amount of template. Three different anaesthetics of similar structures (bupivacaine, mepivacaine and S-ropivacaine) were used as model target molecules to synthesize sample enrichment media. Hence, various mMIPs have been prepared and evaluated on a micro-system against each analyte in order to test the retention properties and cross-selectivities of the materials. The retention factors were determined and compared with the non-imprinted reference column (mNIP), yielding high imprinting factors together with good selectivity factors between the three analytes. A study with a pure enantiomeric target was carried out to assess the degree of stereo-specific imprinting for injection of racemic mixtures. Finally, one column was imprinted with an equimolar mixture of all three anaesthetics to provide further comprehension of the retention mechanism and accredit the possibility of using the material as a sample enrichment entity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen absorption/desorption (BET) and mercury intrusion porosimetry were used to characterize the monolith and the mMIPs properties. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been used to assess the similarities between the mMIP and mNIP.

Quantification in capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry: long- and short-term variance components and their compensation using internal standards

Different approaches were chosen to examine ionization reproducibility of analytes after separation by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) in a commercially available sheath-flow electrospray interface. For this task three different standard samples were examined. Sample 1 contained neostigmine bromide (cationic), paracetamol (PCM) (neutral) and nicotinic acid (anionic component). Results were evaluated using internal standard (IS) calculations. Sample 2 represented an isotopically labelled IS of the quantified substance (PCM/D4-PCM), while sample 3 (neostigmine bromide/scopolamine hydrobromide) provided an IS closely migrating to the tested substance. Furthermore, short-time variations inside the interface were examined by multiple injections of the same substance. For sample 1, the relative standard deviations (RSD%s) were between 8 and 25% (n at least 58) for the peak area ratios. Multiple injected samples gave 5.5-19.4% (n = 25) for peak area RSD%. Using a closely migrating IS, sample 3, RSD%s between 6.5 and 10% (n at least 63) were achieved. With isotopically labelled IS, sample 2, an RSD% of 3-4% was achieved for peak area ratios over long periods (n = 25), for shorter periods (n = 9) even 1-2% RSD% was obtained. Keeping the instrument settings constant, the influence on the ionization efficiency and reproducibility was tested, varying the buffer pH, the organic buffer modifier and the sample concentration. Repeatabilities of migration time and peak area were measured and compared. Two 10 mM ammonium acetate buffers with pH 4.0 and 8.5 were investigated. No influence of buffer pH on peak area reproducibility was found. Isopropanol as organic buffer modifier significantly improved the ionisation leading to larger peak areas, but reduced reproducibility. The basic buffer produced slightly better RSD%s for migration times (2.5-4.0%) (n = 180) and faster analysis for the different test analytes of sample 1, while with the acetic buffer, RSD%s from 3.9 to 6.0% were obtained (n at least 163). The positioning of the capillary turned out to be the crucial parameter to ensure reproducible results. Thus, a procedure was established to ensure a defined ion-intensity level after capillary changes. The investigation of the different sample concentrations gave negligible differences in RSD%, showing that the signal-to-noise ratio was not the crucial parameter for reproducibility here, in contrast to CE-UV detection.

An overview of analytical applications of time of flight-mass spectrometric (TOF-MS) analyzers and an inductively coupled plasma-TOF-MS technique

A brief overview of the applications of time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) for analytical purposes is presented. The performance of TOF-MS combined with an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) ion source is discussed in detail. The advantages of TOF-MS detectors over the quadrupole mass filters for multi-elemental analysis of fast transient signals are discussed. The applications of ICP-TOF-MS for the detection of signals from laser ablation, electrothermal vaporization, gas and liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and flow-injection analysis are reviewed.

Interfaces for coupled liquid-phase separation/mass spectrometry techniques. An update on recent developments

An update is presented covering the latest developments in the interfacing of liquid-phase separation systems and mass spectrometers. The interfacing devices presented are those developed for continuous-flow matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, micro- and nano-liquid chromatography/masspectrometry (MS), capillary electrophoresis/MS and on-chip separation technologies/MS. From the information that can be found in the most recent literature on the topic, it is evident that the trend towards the miniaturization of separation and interface devices is gaining ground. This can be rationalized by the substantial gains in sensitivity for the detection and study of extremely low levels of analytes and especially of high molecular mass biopolymers.

Possibilities to improve automation, speed and precision of proteome analysis: a comparison of two-dimensional electrophoresis and alternatives

Proteome analysis requires fast methods with high separation efficiencies in order to screen the various cell and tissue types for their proteome expression and monitor the effect of environmental conditions and time on this expression. The established two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) is by far too slow for a consequential screening. Moreover, it is not precise enough to observe changes in protein concentrations. There are various approaches that promise faster, automated proteome analysis. This article concentrates on capillary (CT isoelectric focusing coupled to mass spectrometry (CIEF-MSn) and preparative IEF followed by size-exclusion chromatography, hyphenated with MS (PIEF-SEC-MS). These two approaches provide a similar separation pattern as the established 2-DE technique and therefore allow for the continued use of data based on this traditional approach. Their performances have been discussed and compared to 2-DE, evaluating 169 recent articles. Data on analysis time, automation, the detection limit, quantitation, peak capacity, mass and pI accuracy, as well as on the required sample amount are compared in a table.

Recent progress in capillary electrochromatography

Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) continues to captivate many separation scientists. A remarkable activity is apparent from the numerous publications in the literature using CEC. A review of the most recent progress in CEC is presented herein, covering an extensive fraction of the literature on CEC published from the year 1997 until the beginning of 2000. Most of the recent developments have concentrated on column technology.

Specific applications of capillary electrochromatography to biopolymers, including proteins, nucleic acids, peptide mapping, antibodies, and so forth

Separation of biopolymers is an obvious application of capillary electrochromatography (CEC) technology, since speed and resolution should increase significantly over high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). All too often, HPLC chromatograms of polymers show poorly resolved envelopes of overlapping peaks from oligomers. The practical limitation of column length and pressure drop has hindered development of high resolution separations of many polymers in HPLC. However, this generally applies only to packed beds of small particles, and not to continuous (or monolithic) beds, as introduced by Hjerten et al. [S. Hjerten, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 38 (1999) 1205; S. Hjerten, C. Ericson, Y.-M. Li, R. Zhang, Biomed. Chromatogr. 12 (1998) 120; C. Ericson, S. Hjerten, Anal. Chem. 71 (1999) 1621; J.-L. Liao, N. Chen, C. Ericson, S. Hjerten, Anal. Chem. 68 (1996) 3468; S. Hjerten, A. Vegvari, T. Srichaiyo, H.-X. Zhang, C. Ericson, D. Eaker, J. Capillary. Elec. 5 (1998) 13; C. Ericson, J.-L. Liao, K. Nakazato, S. Hjerten, J. Chromatogr. A 767 (1997) 33; S. Hjerten, D. Eaker, K. Elenbring, C. Ericson, K. Kubo, J.-L. Liao, C.-M. Zeng, P.-A. Lidstrom, C. Lindh, A. Palm, T. Srichiayo, L. Valtcheva, R. Zhang, Jpn. J. Electroph. 39 (1995) 1]. Throughout this review we will refer to such packings as monolithic or continuous beds, but they are identical type packings, formed by the in situ polymerization in the capillary or column. CEC capillaries can be much longer, and contain smaller particles than is practical for HPLC. This improves resolution significantly. CEC is able to capitalize on existing mobile phase technology developed over 30 years to improve separations. The requirement that the mobile phase simultaneously promote the separation and mobile phase mobility needs to be considered. In RPLC, this dual role is not much of a problem. It may be much more important in other modes, particularly ion-exchange (IEC). As the field develops, it is becoming clear that CEC is not just a simple extension of HPLC. Instruments, column technology and operating optima are clearly different than HPLC. CEC will develop into its own unique field. Open tubular HPLC is almost precluded by the high pressures required for forcing liquids through 10 microm or smaller capillaries. Electroosmotic pumping (EOF) avoids the pressure constraints and provides better flow profiles. Compared to HPCE, the ability to interact with the stationary phase may enable separations that would be difficult with electrophoresis alone. Since the mobile phase can be less complex than micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), CEC also avoids the problem of high background signals from the micelle forming compounds. Thus CEC-MS (mass spectrometry) is expected to be even more powerful than HPCE-MS. The fortuitous, simultaneous development of matrix assisted laser desorption-time of flight MS (MALDI-TOF-MS) technology will enable extension of the mass range to above 100 000 Da. Lack of familiarity is the perhaps the largest liability of CEC compared to other techniques. This paper critically compares the state-of-the-art of CEC with HPLC and HPCE, with a particular emphasis on separation of biopolymers. The goal is to help the reader overcome the fear of the unknown, in this case, CEC.

Capillary electrochromatography/nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry for attomole characterization of peptides

The successful coupling of capillary electrochromatography (CEC) to an ion trap mass spectrometer via a nanoelectrospray interface (nESI) is described. Using a conductively coated tip butted to the end of a CEC column, it was possible to obtain a stable spray without any sheath liquid being employed. Selected small peptides were separated with CEC columns (100 microm i.d./25 cm long) packed with 3 microm Hypersil C8 or C18 bonded silica particles with an eluent composed of ammonium acetate/acetonitrile. Peptide mixtures of desmopressin, peptide A, oxytocin, carbetocin and [Met(5)]-enkephalin were detected in the mid-attomole range, which is the lowest amount analyzed using CEC combined with MS detection. It was also observed that sensitivity can be compromised at higher separation voltages. We demonstrate that CEC/nESI-MS, at the current stage of development, represents one of the most sensitive systems for peptide analysis.

State-of-the-art in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Impressive progress has been made in the technology and application of combined liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in the past decennium. From a technique, that could only be used by a specialist, it has developed into a routinely applicable technique. LC-MS has become the method-of-choice of analytical support in many stages of drug development within pharmaceutical industries and has found its way into environmental, biochemical and other laboratories. This paper provides a perspective on the current technology, principles and applications of LC-MS.

Overview of capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography

This paper provides an overview on the current status of capillary electrophoresis (CE) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The focus is largely on the current application areas of CE where routine methods are now in place. These application areas include the analysis of DNA, clinical and forensic samples, carbohydrates, inorganic anions and metal ions, pharmaceuticals, enantiomeric species and proteins and peptides. More specific areas such the determination of physical properties, microchip CE and instrumentation developments are also covered. The application, advantages and limitations of CEC are covered. Recent review articles and textbooks are frequently cited to provide readers with a source of information regarding pioneering work and theoretical treatments.

Analyte identification in capillary electrophoretic separation techniques

A review on applications of on-line hyphenation in capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography for the identification of migrating analytes is presented. There is an urgent need for unambiguous analyte identification by combining spectral information and observed migration times, because the parameters influencing the migration times and separation efficiencies in these separation techniques are not easily controlled, especially when real samples containing unknown interferences have to be analyzed. The spectrometric techniques covered here are ultraviolet and visible radiation (UV/Vis) absorption, fluorescence including fluorescence line-narrowing spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Attention is essentially confined to literature reports in which the extra information provided by the detector is really used for identification purposes, especially in real-life samples, while the interfacing as such and analyte detectabilities in standard solutions are only briefly discussed. This article covers an extensive fraction of the literature published on this topic until the beginning of 1998.

Advances in instrumentation in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and related liquid-introduction techniques

In the past few years, the instrumental developments in the field of combined liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and related liquid-introduction techniques has been extremely fast. Soon after the demonstration of the ability to obtain multiply-charged ions from proteins by electrospray ionization, a major impetus was given to the field. Numerous LC-MS systems based on atmospheric-pressure ionization sources have now been described. This paper reviews these instrumental developments with reference to currently available commercial LC-MS systems. Not only low and high flow-rate electrospray on quadrupole instrument is discussed, but also electrospray on ion-trap, double-focusing sector, time-of-flight, and Fourier-transform ion-cyclotron resonance instruments are reviewed.