• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.29-33
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• 2017

Understanding the mechanisms that control and concentrate the observed electrospray ionisation (ESI) response from peptides is important. Controlling these mechanisms can improve signal-to-noise ratio in the mass spectrum, and enhances the generation of intact ions, and thus, improves the detection of peptides when analysing mixtures. The effects of different mixtures of aqueous: organic solvents (25, 50, 75%; v/v): formic acid solution (at pH 3.26) compositions on the ESI response and charge-state distribution (CSD) during mass spectrometry (MS) were determined in a group of biologically active peptides (molecular wt range 1.3 - 3.3 kDa). The ESI response is dependent on type of organic solvent in the mobile phase mixture and therefore, solvent choice affects optimal ion intensities. As expected, intact peptide ions gave a more intense ESI signal in polar protic solvent mixtures than in the low polarity solvent. However, for four out of the five analysed peptides, neither the ESI response nor the CSD were affected by the volatility of the solvent mixture. Therefore, in solvent mixtures, as the composition changes during the evaporation processes, the $pK_b$ of the amino acid composition is a better predictor of multiple charging of the peptides.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.178-185
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• 2023

QuEChERS is used worldwide as a universal sample preparation method with many benefits, such as being quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe. This study examined whether QuEChERS can be employed in isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ID-MS) for accurate analysis of pesticides in food. The ratios of fortified values and measured values of malathion and fenitrothion using the QuEChERS method were compared with those using the solid phase extract (SPE) method which was previously used in this laboratory. The separations of the two pesticides on DB-5MS and VF-1701MS columns were compared. Malathion and fenitrothion were fortified into kimchi cabbage and pretreated with the QuEChERS method and the SPE method. The results obtained using the DB-5MS column varied according to the sample preparation method, column and pesticide level. Using the VF-1701 column, ratios were 98-102% by both QuEChERS and Carb/NH₂ SPE method for all fortification level. Malathion and fenitrothion were fortified into strawberry samples for comparison with kimchi cabbage. The results for the strawberry samples indicated that the ratios were not influenced by the sample preparation methods or GC column. The QuEChERS method could be acceptable in the ID-MS method for pesticide residue analysis in food, however other conditions should be carefully considered for accurate determination, such as the column, amount of analyte and food matrix.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.390-396
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• 2018

This study investigated the transformation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a free-water surface flow constructed wetland. Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) coupled with preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (prep-HPLC) was used to analyze the compositions of biopolymers (polysaccharides, amino sugars, proteins, polyhydroxy aromatics, lipids and lignin) in DOM according to the molecular size at three sampling points of the water flow: inflow, midflow, and outflow. The prep-HPLC results verified the decomposition of DOM through the decrease in the number of peaks from three to one in the chromatograms of the sampling points. The Py-GC/MS results for the degradable peaks indicated that biopolymers relating to polysaccharides and proteins gradually biodegraded with the water flow. On the other hand, the recalcitrant organic fraction (the remaining peak) in the outflow showed a relatively high concentration of aromatic compounds. Therefore, the ecological processes in the constructed wetland caused DOM to become more aromatic and homogeneous. This indicated that the constructed wetland can be an effective buffer area for releasing biochemically stable DOM, which has less influence on biological water quality indicators, e.g., biochemical oxygen demand, into an aquatic ecosystem.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.188-200
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• 2019

Rubber articles contain various organic additives such as antidegradants, curing agents, and processing aids. It is important to extract and analyze these organic additives. In this paper, various extraction methods of organic additives present in rubber composites were introduced (solvent extraction, Soxhlet extraction, headspace extraction, and solid-phase microextraction), and the extracts were characterized using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Solvent and Soxhlet extractions are easy-to-perform and commonly used methods. Efficiency of solvent extraction varies according to the type of solvent used and the extraction conditions. Soxhlet extraction requires a large volume of solvent. Headspace sampling is suitable for extracting volatile organic compounds, while solid-phase extraction is suitable for extracting specific chemicals. GC/MS is generally used for characterizing the extract of a rubber composite because most components of the extract are volatile and have low molecular weights. Identification methods of chemical structures of the components separated by GC column were also introduced.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.2791-2796
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• 2010

In the present study, we constructed a membrane inlet assembly for selective permeation of volatile airborne organic compounds for subsequent analysis by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The time-dependent diffusion of analytes through a $75\;{\mu}m$ thick polydimethylsiloxane membrane was measured by monitoring the ion signal after a step change in the sample concentration. The results fit well to a non-steady-state permeation equation. The diffusion coefficient, response time, and sensitivity were determined experimentally for a range of polar (halogenated) and nonpolar (aromatic) compounds. We found that the response times for several volatile organic compounds were greatly influenced by the alkyl chain length as well as the size of the substituted halogen atoms. The detection limits for benzene, ethylbenzene, and 2-propanol were 0.2 ppm, 0.1 ppm, and 3.0 ppm by volume, respectively, with a linear dynamic range greater than three orders of magnitude. These results indicate that the membrane inlet/time-of-flight mass spectrometry technique will be useful for a wide range of applications, particularly for in situ environmental monitoring.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.62-68
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• 2024

The Suspension Trapping (S-Trap) method has been a prominent sample preparation technique since its introduction in 2014. Its capacity to induce protein aggregation using organic solvents has significantly improved protein purification and facilitated peptide identification. However, its full potential for automation has been limited by the lack of a suitable liquid handling system until recently. In this study, we aimed to enhance the automation of S-Trap sample preparation by optimizing the S-Trap digestion process, incorporating triethylammonium bicarbonate (TEAB) and CaCl₂. The utilization of TEAB buffer conditions in this innovative process led to a noteworthy 12% improvement in protein identification. Additionally, through careful observation of various incubation conditions, we streamlined the entire sample preparation workflow into a concise 4 hours timeline, covering reduction, alkylation, and trypsin incubation stages. This refined and expedited automated S-Trap digestion process not only showcased exceptional time efficiency but also improved trypsin digestion, resulting in increased protein identification.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.147-152
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• 2023

The increasing demand for two-dimensional imaging analysis using optical or electronic microscopic techniques has led to an increase in the use of simple one-dimensional and two-dimensional mass spectrometry imaging. Among these imaging methods, secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has the best spatial resolution using a primary ion beam with a relatively insignificant beam diameter. Until recently, SIMS, which uses high-energy primary ion beams, has not been used to analyze molecules. However, owing to the development of cluster ion beams, it has been actively used to analyze various organic molecules from the surface. Researchers and commercial SIMS companies are developing cluster ion beams to analyze biological samples, including amino acids, peptides, and proteins. In this study, a water droplet ion beam for surface analysis was realized. Water droplets ions were generated via electrospraying in a vacuum without desolvation. The generated ions were accelerated at an energy of 10 keV and collided with the target sample, and secondary ion mass spectra were obtained for the generated ions using ToF-SIMS. Thus, the proposed water droplet ion-beam device showed potential applicability as a primary ion beam in SIMS.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.484-493
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• 2000

The simultaneous analysis of alkylphenols, chlorophenols and bisphenol A in biota samples was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-selected ion monitoring mode. The phenols were extracted from sample with organic solvent and Forisil and Silica columns for clean-up procedure were compared. Recovery studies were performed at 1-ppm level of phenols added to each biota sample. Their recoveries ranged between 83 and 116% with coefficient of variations of 2.4-11.9%. To improve the detection limits of phenols, trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatization was applied. The gas chromatographic properties of free phenols and TMS derivatized phenols were also investigated.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.437-443
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• 2003

A series of alternating and alternating block copolycarbonates containing the constituent groups of polysulfone was synthesized through a multi-step solution condensation method. For the regulation of block length, monodisperse oligomers were prepared by using a large excess of the bisphenols and were subsequently incorporated into the copolymer chains. Separating the unreacted bisphenols from the oligomers by dissolution/precipitation steps took advantage of solubility differences. The structures of the monomers, oligomers, and copolymers were characterized and confirmed by GPC, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Monodispersity of the oligomers, which is critical for control over the block length in the copolymers, was confirmed by GPC and mass spectrometry. Of the two constituent groups of the polysulfone, the sulfone linkage stiffens the polycarbonate copolymer chain, while the ether linkage softens it.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.577-580
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• 1993

The trace elements in liver, kidney and testicle of rats were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer(ICP-MS). Ten elements(Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Pb, Bi, Th, U) were determined simultaneously and the detection limit of each elements was lower than ppb level.