Over the past decades, electrospray ionization for mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) has become one of the most commonly employed techniques in analytical chemistry, mainly due to its broad applicability to polar and semipolar compounds and the superior selectivity which is achieved in combination with high resolution separation techniques. However, responsiveness of an analytical method also determin...

The response of many previously low-detectable or undetectable compounds in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) has been enhanced by the addition of a simple, homemade needle into the traditional ESI interface. The needle located between the ESI emitter and the ion sweep cone (inlet of the detector) would ionize those neutral gaseous compounds, formed during electrospray, by a co...

A novel fused-droplet electrospray ionization (FD-ESI) source was developed to generate peptide and protein ions. The sample solution was first ultrasonically nebulized to form fine aerosols. The aerosols were then purged into a glass reaction chamber via nitrogen. Charged methanol droplets were continuously generated through electrospraying the acidic methanol solution from a capillary, which ...

The difference in size, shape, and chemical cues of leaves and flowers display the underlying genetic makeup and their interactions with the environment. The need to understand the molecular signatures of these fragile plant surfaces is illustrated with a model plant, Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don). Flat, thin layer chromatographic imprints of leaves/petals were imaged ...

Mass spectrometry has become an indispensable tool for the global study of metabolites (metabolomics), primarily using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). However, many important classes of molecules such as neutral lipids do not ionize well by ESI and go undetected. Chemical derivatization of metabolites can enhance ionization for increased sensitivity and metabolomic coverage....

Recent advances in mass spectrometry are enabling improved analysis of endogenous metabolites. Here we discuss several issues relevant to developing liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry methods for targeted metabolomics (i.e., quantitative analysis of dozens to hundreds of specific metabolites). Sample preparation and liquid chromatography approaches are discussed, wi...

Salt removal is a prerequisite for electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis of biological samples. Rapid desalting and a low volume connection to an electrospray tip are required for time-resolved measurements. We have developed a microfabricated desalting device that meets both requirements, thus providing the foundational technology piece for transient ESI-MS measurements o...

A sensitive liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) method was established and validated for the determination of glycyrrhizin in dog plasma. After treatment with methanol to precipitate proteins, plasma samples were analyzed on a reversed-phase C18 (ODS) column with a mobile phase of methanol:1% formic acid solution (75:25, v/v). MS determination was perform...

Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESIMS/MS) is one of the most prominent analytical techniques owing to its inherent selectivity and sensitivity. In LC/ESI-MS/MS, chemical derivatization is frequently used to enhance the MS/MS detectability. The derivatization improves the separation and ionization efficiency. Moreover, the generated derivatives give par...

The coupling of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC/MS) has been established as one of the most powerful tools in analytical chemistry and has resulted in important advances especially in biomedical and biochemical research. The predominantly used interfaces are electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). Non-polar compounds, however, are diffi...