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Title: Identification of Novel Microcystins Using High-Resolution MS and MSn with Python Code

Journal Article · · Environmental Science and Technology
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [4];  [2]; ORCiD logo [3]
  1. Univ. of Toledo, OH (United States); Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  2. Wayne State Univ., Detroit, MI (United States)
  3. Univ. of Toledo, OH (United States)
  4. The Ohio State Univ., Columbus, OH (United States)

Cyanotoxins called microcystins (MCs) are highly toxic and can be present in drinking water sources. Determining the structure of MCs is paramount because of its effect on toxicity. Though over 300 MC congeners have been discovered, many remain unidentified. In this work, a method is described for the putative identification of MCs using liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with high-resolution (HR) Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS) and a new bottom-up sequencing strategy. Maumee River water samples were collected during a harmful algal bloom and analyzed by LC–MS with simultaneous HRMS and MS/MS. Unidentified ions with characteristic MC fragments (135 and 213 m/z) were recognized as possible novel MC congeners. An innovative workflow was developed for the putative identification of these ions. Python code was written to generate the potential structures of unidentified MCs and to assign ions after the fragmentation for structural confirmation. The workflow enabled the putative identification of eight previously reported MCs for which standards are not available and two newly discovered congeners, MC-HarR and MC-E(OMe)R.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR); National Institutes of Health (NIH); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1876976
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-834627; 1052936
Journal Information:
Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 56; ISSN 0013-936X
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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