• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.49-51
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• 2014

The effectiveness of tertiary matrices composed of the combination of three common matrices (dihydrobenzoic acid (DHB), ${\alpha}$-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), and sinapinic acid (SA)) was compared with that of single or binary matrices in the analysis of polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers ranging from 1400 to 10000 Da using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). A tertiary matrix of 2,5-DHB+CHCA+SA was the most effective in terms of S/N ratios. CHCA and CHCA+SA produced the highest S/N ratios among the single matrices and the binary matrices, respectively. The improvement observed when using a tertiary matrix in analyses of PEG polymers by MALDI-TOF MS is believed to be due to the uniform morphology of the MALDI sample spots and synergistic effects arising from the mixture of the three matrix materials.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.27-30
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• 2015

This article reviews the fundamentals of sample preparation used in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). MALDI is a soft ionization method used to generate analyte ions in their intact forms, which are then detected in MS analysis. MALDI-MS boasts fast analysis times and easy-to-use operation. The disadvantages of MALDI-MS include the occurrence of matrix-associated peaks and inhomogeneous distribution of analyte within the matrix. To overcome the disadvantages of MALDI-MS, various efforts have been directed such as using different matrices, novel matrix systems, various additives, and different sample preparation methods. These various efforts will be discussed in detail. This article will benefit those who would like to obtain basic knowledge of MALDI sample preparation and those who would like to use MALDI-MS in their chemical analyses.