Quantitative analysis of biopolymers by matrix-assisted laser desorption

Journal Article · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Analytical Chemistry (Washington); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00063a041· OSTI ID:5620728

Tang, K; Allman, S L; Jones, R B; Chen, C H ^[1]

---

1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)

During the past few years, major efforts have been made to use mass spectrometry to measure biopolymers because of the great potential benefit to biological and medical research. Although the theoretical details of laser desorption and ionization mechanisms of MALDI are not yet fully understood, several models have been presented to explain the production of large biopolymer ions. In brief, it is very difficult to obtain reliable measurements of the absolute quantity of analytes by MALDI. If MALDI is going to become a routine analytical tool, it is obvious that quantitative measurement capability must be pursued. Oligonucleotides and protein samples used in this work were purchased from commercial sources. Nicotinic acid was used as matrix for both types of biopolymers. From this experiment, it is seen that it is difficult to obtain absolute quantitative measurements of biopolymers using MALDI. However, internal calibration with molecules having similar chemical properties can be used to resolve these difficulties. Chemical reactions between biopolymers must be avoided to prevent the destruction of the analyte materials. 10 refs., 8 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5620728
• Journal Information: Analytical Chemistry (Washington); (United States), Journal Name: Analytical Chemistry (Washington); (United States) Vol. 65:15; ISSN 0003-2700; ISSN ANCHAM
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102 -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
400201* -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
550200 -- Biochemistry
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
DESORPTION
LASERS
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MATERIALS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
OLIGONUCLEOTIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
POLYMERS
PROTEINS
SORPTION
SPECTROSCOPY