Determining estrogens using surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry with silver nanoparticles as the matrix

Abstract

We describe the application of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) as matrices for the determination of three estrogens using surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS). Because Ag NPs have extremely high absorption coefficients (1.2 x 10(8) M(-1) cm(-1)) at 337 nm, they are effective SALDI matrices when using a nitrogen laser. Three tested estrogens--estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3)--adsorb weakly onto the surfaces of the Ag NPs, through van der Waals forces. After centrifugation, the concentrated analytes adsorbed on the Ag NPs were subjected directly to SALDI-MS analyses, with the limits of detection for E1, E2, and E3 being 2.23, 0.23, and 2.11 microM, respectively. The shot-to-shot and batch-to-batch variations for the three analytes were less than 9% and 13%, respectively. We validated the practicality of this present approach through the quantitation of E2 in human urine. Using this approach, we determined the concentration of E2 in a sample of a pregnant woman's urine to be 0.16+/-0.05 microM (n=10).

Gold nanoparticles as assisted matrices for the detection of biomolecules in a high-salt solution through laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

“…It is suggested that cobalt NPs take the advantages of a large surface area, high photoabsorption, and low heat capacity compared with those of microparticles. Inspired by Tanaka's results, a series of inorganic micro-and nanomaterials-such as graphite particles [9], gold NPs (AuNPs) [10], silver NPs [11], titanium dioxide NPs [12], silicon NPs [13], Au nanorods [14], and carbon nanotubes [15]-have been studied as potential inorganic matrices. Moreover, matrix-free LDI-MS has been proposed using porous silicon as a sample target for the analysis of small molecules such as peptides, drugs, surfactants, and carbohydrates [16].…”

Detection and Quantification of 4-Methyliniidazole in Cola by Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry with Fe2O3 Nanoparticles on Zeolite

“…Instead of organic matrix molecules, the use of inorganic materials, particularly nanometer-sized metal or metal oxide particles, has been proposed. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] There are several benefits of using nanometer-sized particles (NPs) as the matrix. First, fragment peaks of matrix do not appear during the laser desorption ionization process, thereby effectively extending the application of MALDI MS to low-molecular-weight compounds.…”

Simulation of Pulsed High Voltage DC Source And Blumlein Transmission Line

“…Such as the measurement of the speed of sound in various materials [1], observance of nanosecond scale plasma [2],bio-molecules analysis by nanoparticles based mass spectrometry [3], and surface-assisted laser desorption [4]. Further applications, thinfilm deposition for non-linear optical purposes [5],Te-doped Ge-Se thin films crystallization [6], andcategorization of change in phase of chalcogenide thin films [7].…”