• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.263-271
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• 2017

The application of mass spectrometry to polymer science has rapidly increased since the development of MALDI-TOF MS. This review summarizes current polymer analysis methods using MALDI-TOF MS, which has been extensively applied to analyze the average molecular weight of biopolymers and synthetic polymers. Polymer sequences have also been analyzed to reveal the structures and composition of monomers. In addition, the analysis of unknown end-groups and the determination of polymer concentrations are very important applications. Hyphenated techniques using MALDI-tandem MS have been used for the analysis of fragmentation patterns and end-groups, and also the combination of SEC and MALDI-TOF MS techniques is recommended for the analysis of complex polymers. Moreover, MALDI-TOF MS has been utilized for the observation of polymer degradation. Ion mobility MS, TOF-SIMS, and MALDI-TOF-imaging are also emerging technologies for polymer characterization because of their ability to automatically fractionate and localize polymer samples. The determination of polymer characteristics and their relation to the material properties is one of the most important demands for polymer scientists; the development of software and instrument for higher molecular mass range (> 100 kD) will increase the applications of MALDI-TOF MS for polymer scientists.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.134-143
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• 2005

Collagen is the important structural proteins in mammals with various peptide composition and cross-linkings. The direct analysis of collagen protein was not suitable because of its structural complexity and diversity. In this study, we suggest the simple way of collagen analysis by introducing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to identify the collagen and its trypsin-digested fragments, and by subsequent time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(Q-TOF MS/MS) to analyze the amino acid sequences of identified fragments. Using the collagen samples extracted from the tail of mouse, 10 separated bands were found in SDS-PAGE, and the masses of most bands could be more finely determined by MALDI-TOF MS. When each 10 separated proteins was tryptic digested and introduced to MALDI-TOF, the Gly1056-Arg1073 fragment from $\alpha_1$-chain was identified in four bands, and the Gly1056-Arg1073 fragment from $\alpha_2$-chain was identified in five bands, both in type I collagen. Although few fragments were found because of the cross-linkings left in digested collagen sample, it could be determined that the type I collagen existed at least in 7 separated bands. When the amino acid sequences of two identified fragments were analyzed by Q-TOF MS/MS, both sequences were identical with those determined by MALDI-TOF MS. It suggested that the two peaks in MALDI-TOF MS caused by the fragments identified in this work could be used as the fingerprint to simply identify type I collagen in protein samples.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.61-64
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• 2011

Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time-of-Flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) is the most widely used MS technique for glycan analysis. However, the poor point-to-point and sample-to-sample reproducibility becomes a limit in glycan biomarker research. A prespotted MALDI plate which overcomes the large crystal formation of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) has been developed and applied for glycan analysis. A homogeneous matrix coated surface without a crystal structure was formed on a hydrophilic/ hydrophobic patterned surface using a piezoelectric device. The reproducible MALDI-TOF-MS data have been presented using MALDI imaging of beer glycan as well as serum glycan eluted from 10% and 20% ACN elution fractions. The glycan profile from the serum glycan by MALDI-TOF-MS with a DHB prespotted plate was highly conserved for 10 different spectra and the coefficient of variations of significant ion peaks of MALDI data varies from 3.59 to 19.95.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09b
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• pp.480-507
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• 2003

A rapid and efficient method for analyzing the nonionic surfactants and silicone polymers, which control the shape and characteristics of cosmetic products and give influence on product quality, has been developed using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI- TOF IMS). The MALDI-TOF/MS could easily and effectively determine the molecular weight distribution and monomer units of nonionic surfactants. As a result, creating a library of mass spectrum data of surfactants used in cosmetic products using MALDI-TOF/MS and analyzing surfactants extracted from the products may become a useful method for detailed structural characterization of the surfactants. Furthermore, the MALDI-TOF/MS analysis was effective in obtaining the spectrum of silicone polymers from which the molecular weight distribution could be determined. The repetition units and structural data could also be obtained through molecular mass peaks. Additionally, the monomer ratio and terminal groups as properties of silicone copolymers could be determined

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.54-58
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• 2017

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS) is one of the powerful methods that enable analysis of small molecules as well as large molecules up to about 500,000 Da without severe fragmentation. MALDI-TOF MS, thus, has been a very useful an analytical tool for the confirmation of synthetic molecules, probing PTMs, and identifying structures of a given protein. In recent nuclear medicine, MALDI-TOF MS liner ion mode helps researcher calculate the average number of chelator(or linkage) per an antibody conjugate, such as DOTA-(or DFO-) trastuzumab for labeling a medical radioisotope. This simple technique can be utilized to improve the labeling method and control the quality at the development of antibody-based radiopharmaceuticals, which is very effected to diagnosis and therapy for in vivo tumor cells, with radioisotopes like $^{89}Zr$, $^{64}Cu$, and 177Lu. To minimize the error, MALDI-TOF MS measurement is repeatedly performed for each sample in this study, and external calibration is carried out after data collection.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.49-51
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• 2014

The effectiveness of tertiary matrices composed of the combination of three common matrices (dihydrobenzoic acid (DHB), ${\alpha}$-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), and sinapinic acid (SA)) was compared with that of single or binary matrices in the analysis of polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers ranging from 1400 to 10000 Da using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). A tertiary matrix of 2,5-DHB+CHCA+SA was the most effective in terms of S/N ratios. CHCA and CHCA+SA produced the highest S/N ratios among the single matrices and the binary matrices, respectively. The improvement observed when using a tertiary matrix in analyses of PEG polymers by MALDI-TOF MS is believed to be due to the uniform morphology of the MALDI sample spots and synergistic effects arising from the mixture of the three matrix materials.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 2012

Rapid and reliable identification of microorganisms is a key for tracing the relationship between the target bacteria and related infectious diseases. Various identification methods such as classical phenotypic analysis, numerical taxonomic analysis, and DNA sequencing have been widely used to classify microorganisms in milk and dairy products. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) identifies targeted bacteria in milk and milk products. Several studies have demonstrated that MALDI-TOF MS identification is an efficient and inexpensive method for the rapid and routine identification of isolated bacteria. MALDI-TOF MS could provide accurate identification of bacteria in milk and milk products at the serotype or strain level and enable antibiotic resistance profiling within minutes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1128-1137
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to explore the accuracy and feasibility of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in identifying bacteria from environmental sources, as compared with rpoA gene sequencing, and to evaluate the occurrence of bacteria of the genus Enterococcus in wild birds. In addition, a phyloproteomic analysis of certain Enterococcus species with spectral relationships was performed. The enterococci were isolated from 25 species of wild birds in central Europe (Poland). Proteomic (MALDI-TOF MS) and genomic (rpoA gene sequencing) methods were used to identify all the isolates. Using MALDI-TOF MS, all 54 (100%) isolates were identified as Enterococcus spp. Among these, 51 (94.4%) isolates were identified to the species level (log(score) ${\geq}2.0$), and three isolates (5.6%) were identified at a level of probable genus identification (log(score) 1.88-1.927). Phylogenetic analysis based on rpoA sequences confirmed that all enterococci had been correctly identified. Enterococcus faecalis was the most prevalent enterococcal species (50%) and Enterococcus faecium (33.3%) the second most frequent species, followed by Enterococcus hirae (9.3%), Enterococcus durans (3.7%), and Enterococcus casseliflavus (3.7%). The phyloproteomic analysis of the spectral profiles of the isolates showed that MALDI-TOF MS is able to differentiate among similar species of the genus Enterococcus.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.548-557
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• 2019

Staphylococcus species have a ubiquitous habitat in a wide range of foods, thus the ability to identify staphylococci at the species level is critical in the food industry. In this study, we performed rapid identification of Staphylococcus species using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). MALDI-TOF MS was evaluated for the identification of Staphylococcus reference strains (n = 19) and isolates (n = 96) from various foods with consideration for the impact of sample preparation methods and incubation period. Additionally, the spectra of isolated Staphylococcus strains were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and a main spectra profile (MSP)-based dendrogram. MALDI-TOF MS accurately identified Staphylococcus reference strains and isolated strains: the highest performance was by the EX method (83.3~89.5% accuracy) at species level identification (EDT, 70.3~78.9% accuracy; DT, less than 46.3~63.2% accuracy) of 24-h cultured colonies. Identification results at the genus level were 100% accurate at EDT, EX sample preparation and 24-h incubation time. On the other hand, the DT method showed relatively low identification accuracy in all extraction methods and incubation times. The analyzed spectra and MSP-based dendrogram showed that the isolated Staphylococcus strains were characterized at the species level. The performance analysis of MALDI-TOF MS shows the method has the potential ability to discriminate between Staphylococcus species from foods in Korea. This study provides valuable information that MALDI-TOF MS can be applied to monitor microbial populations and pathogenic bacteria in the food industry thereby contributing to food safety.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.244-252
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• 2023

The timeliness and accuracy of test results are crucial factors for clinicians to decide and promptly administer effective and targeted antimicrobial therapy, especially in life-threatening infections or when vital organs and functions, such as sight, are at risk. Further research is needed to refine and optimize matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)-based assays to obtain accurate and reliable results in the shortest time possible. MALDI-TOF MS-based bacterial identification focuses primarily on techniques for isolating and purifying pathogens from clinical samples, the expansion of spectral libraries, and the upgrading of software. As technology advances, many MALDI-based microbial identification databases and systems have been licensed and put into clinical use. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to develop MALDI-TOF MS-based antimicrobial-resistance analysis for comprehensive clinical microbiology characterization. The important applications of MALDI-TOF MS in clinical research include specific application categories, common analytes, main methods, limitations, and solutions. In order to utilize clinical microbiology laboratories, it is essential to secure expertise through education and training of clinical laboratory scientists, and database construction and experience must be maximized. In the future, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is expected to be applied in various fields through the use of more powerful databases.