2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid salts for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric lipid analysis: simplified spectra interpretation and insights into gas-phase fragmentation.

RATIONALE

In the last decades the interest in lipids as important components of membranes has considerably increased. Nowadays, lipids are often routinely analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). In this regard, many relevant aspects are so far unknown, e.g., gas-phase stabilities, adduct formation and fragmentation. To fill this gap, MALDI matrix salts are presented which allow for simplified lipid analysis and elucidation of the underlying gas-phase fragmentation mechanisms.

METHODS

MALDI-TOF MS was used due to its beneficial properties for lipid investigations, e.g., high sensitivity, simple sample preparations, and a high tolerance to contaminants. The lipid hydrolysis, ionization and fragmentation properties of synthesized near neutral Na(+) and NH4 (+) salts of the commonly used MALDI matrix 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid were compared to that of DHB free acid itself as well as to base addition to DHB during dried-droplet sample preparation.

RESULTS

Many lipid classes such as sterols, triacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholines and -ethanolamines undergo initial protonation with subsequent prompt partial up to quantitative fragmentation when analyzed with classical acidic matrices by MALDI-TOF MS. Neutral matrix salts can prevent initial analyte fragmentation by suppression of analyte protonation. Additionally, intramolecular gas-phase fragmentation reactions can be inhibited due to analyte stabilization by cation chelation. Base addition during sample preparation leads not only to in situ generation of matrix salts but also to analyte hydrolysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Neutral DHB salts avoid separation of lipid species into several ionization states when used as matrices in MALDI-TOF MS. This allows for simplified lipid spectra interpretation. Due to the high cationization efficiency of DHB matrix salts, certain lipid classes become detectable which cannot be analyzed easily using standard acidic DHB.