A reactive matrix for chemical derivatisation and specific detection of -diol compounds by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry

• Published in: Analyst (London) Vol. 148; no. 21; pp. 542 - 546
• Main Authors: Chen, Jiajing, Huang, Huan, Ouyang, Dan, Lin, Jiali, Chen, Zhuling, Cai, Zongwei, Lin, Zian
• Format: Journal Article
• Published: 23.10.2023
• ISSN: 0003-2654; 1364-5528
• DOI: 10.1039/d3an01400b

Analysis of cis -diol compounds is essential, because they play important roles in cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals, and living organisms. Herein, we describe the development of a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) method to analyse cis -diol compounds. In this method, a 6-borono-1-methylquinoline-1-ium (BMQI) reactive matrix was designed for in situ derivatisation of cis -diol compounds based on the boronate affinity interaction between boronic acid and cis -diol groups. Compared to traditional commercial matrices and other boronic acid reagents, BMQI can significantly accelerate the desorption/ionisation process, improve reproducibility, exhibit free background interference, and enhance signal intensity in the analysis of various cis -diol compounds even for amounts as low as 1 nmol. The BMQI-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) was successfully applied to the rapid screening and identification of sugar alcohols in different sugar-free foods. This work provides an alternative method to the LDI-MS analysis of cis -diol-containing molecules, and the method can be extended to other food samples and biofluids. Based on the boronate affinity interaction between boric acid and cis -diols, 6-borono-1-methyl-quinoline-1-ium (BMQI) was designed and used as a reactive matrix for in situ derivatisation and rapid profiling of cis -diol compounds in MALDI-MS.