| 1. |
- Jiang, Liying, et al.
(författare)
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Abiotic synthesis of amino acids and self-crystallization under prebiotic conditions
- 2014
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Building on previous research on the origin and homochirality of life, this study focuses on analyses profiling important building blocks of life: the natural amino acids. The spark discharge variation of the iconic Miller experiment was performed with a reducing gas mixture of ammonia, methane, water and hydrogen. Amino acid analysis using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry after pre-column derivatizaiton revealed the generation of several amino acids including those essential for life. Re-crystallization of the synthetic products and enantiomeric ratio analysis were subsequently performed. Results from liquid chromatography coupled with either fluorescent detector or tandem mass spectrometry after pre-column derivatization with chiral reagent revealed spontaneous and effective asymmetric resolution of serine and alanine. This work describes a useful analytical platform for investigation of hypotheses regarding the origin and homochirality of amino acids under prebiotic conditions. The formation of numerous amino acids in the electric discharge experiment and the occurrence of high enantiomeric ratios of amino acids in re-crystallization experiment give valuable implications for future studies in unraveling fundamental questions regarding origins and evolution of life.
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| 2. |
- Jiang, Liying, et al.
(författare)
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Selective LC-MS/MS method for the identification of BMAA from its isomers in biological samples
- 2012
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Ingår i: Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1618-2642 .- 1618-2650. ; 403:6, s. 1719-1730
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Algal blooms are well-known sources of acute toxic agents that can be lethal to aquatic organisms. However, one such toxin, beta--methylamino--alanine (BMAA) is also believed to cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The detection and identification of BMAA in natural samples were challenging until the recent introduction of reliable methods. However, the issue of potential interference from unknown isomers of BMAA present in samples has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Based on a systematic database search, we generated a list of all theoretical BMAA structural isomers, which was subsequently narrowed down to seven possible interfering compounds for further consideration. The seven possible candidates satisfied the requirements of chemical stability and also shared important structural domains with BMAA. Two of the candidates, 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB) and -(2-aminoethyl) glycine (AEG) have recently been studied in the context of BMAA. A further isomer, beta-amino--methyl-alanine (BAMA), has to be considered because it can potentially yield the fragment ion, which is diagnostic for BMAA. Here, we report the synthesis and analysis of BAMA, together with AEG, DAB, and other isomers that are of interest in the separation and detection of BMAA in biological samples by using either high-performance liquid chromatography or ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. We detected for the first time BAMA in blue mussel and oyster samples. This work extends the previously developed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry platform Spacil et al. (Analyst 135:127, 2010) to allow BMAA isomers to be distinguished, improving the detection and identification of this important amino acid.
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| 3. |
- Jonasson, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Transfer of a cyanobacterial neurotoxin within a temperate aquatic ecosystem suggests pathways for human exposure
- 2010
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 107:20, s. 9252-9257
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- beta-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), a neurotoxic nonprotein amino acid produced by most cyanobacteria, has been proposed to be the causative agent of devastating neurodegenerative diseases on the island of Guam in the Pacific Ocean. Because cyanobacteria are widespread globally, we hypothesized that BMAA might occur and bioaccumulate in other ecosystems. Here we demonstrate, based on a recently developed extraction and HPLC-MS/MS method and long-term monitoring of BMAA in cyanobacterial populations of a temperate aquatic ecosystem (Baltic Sea, 2007-2008), that BMAA is biosynthesized by cyanobacterial genera dominating the massive surface blooms of this water body. BMAA also was found at higher concentrations in organisms of higher trophic levels that directly or indirectly feed on cyanobacteria, such as zooplankton and various vertebrates (fish) and invertebrates (mussels, oysters). Pelagic and benthic fish species used for human consumption were included. The highest BMAA levels were detected in the muscle and brain of bottom-dwelling fishes. The discovery of regular biosynthesis of the neurotoxin BMAA in a large temperate aquatic ecosystem combined with its possible transfer and bioaccumulation within major food webs, some ending in human consumption, is alarming and requires attention.
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| 4. |
- Shariatgorji, Mohammadreza, et al.
(författare)
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Matrix-free thin-layer chromatography/laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry for facile separation andidentification of medicinal alkaloids
- 2009
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Ingår i: Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. - : Wiley. - 0951-4198 .- 1097-0231. ; 23:23, s. 3655-3660
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Quaternary protoberberine alkaloids belong to a pharmaceutically important class of isoquinoline alkaloids associated with bactericidal, fungicidal, insecticidal and antiviral activities. As traditional medicine gains wider acceptance, quick and robust analytical methods for the screening and analysis of plants containing these compounds attract considerable interest. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is a powerful technique but suffers from dilution of the TLC bands resulting in decreased sensitivity and masking of signals in the low-mass region both due to addition of matrix. This study integrates for the first time conventional silica gel TLC and laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) thus eliminating the need for any external matrix. Successful separation of berberine (Rf = 0.56) and palmatine (Rf = 0.46) from Berberis barandana including their identification by MS are demonstrated. Furthermore, a robust electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS method utilizing residual sample from TLC for quantification of berberine applying selected reaction monitoring and standard addition method is presented. The amount of berberine in the plant root prepared for the study was determined to be 0.70% (w/w). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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| 5. |
- Spacil, Zdenek, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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Analysis of phenolic compounds by high performance liquidchromatography and ultra performance liquid chromatography
- 2008
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Ingår i: Talanta. - : Elsevier BV. - 0039-9140 .- 1873-3573. ; 76:1, s. 189-199
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Two novel chromatographic methods both based on utilization of sub-2-micron particle columns were developed for the analysis of phenolic compounds in this work. An HPLC system was equipped with C18 silica-based analytical column (50 mm × 4.6 mm, 1.8 μm) and a UPLC system with ethylene-bridged hybrid C18 analytical column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm). In total 34 phenolic substances were divided into groups of phenolic acids, flavonoids, catechins and coumarins and were analysed in sequence using different gradient methods. System suitability test data, including repeatability of retention time and peak area, mean values of asymmetry factor, resolution, peak capacity and the height equivalent of a theoretical plate were determined for each gradient method by 10 replicate injections. The developed methods were applied in the analysis of real samples (grape wines, teas).
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| 6. |
- Spacil, Zdenek, et al.
(författare)
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Analytical protocol for identification of BMAA and DAB in biologicalsamples
- 2010
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Ingår i: The Analyst. - : The Royal Society of Chemistry. - 0003-2654 .- 1364-5528. ; 135, s. 127-132
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- b -N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a non-protein amino acid, thought to be inflicting neurodegenerative diseases related to ALS/PDC in human beings. Due to conflicting data concerning the presence of BMAA in various biological matrixes, we present a robust and sensitive method for high confidence identification of BMAA after derivatization by 6-aminoquinolyl-N -hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC). The efficient sample pretreatment in combination with LC-MS/MS SRM enables chromatographic separation of BMAA from the isomer 2,3-diaminobutyric acid (DAB). The method is applicable for selective BMAA/DAB detection in various biological samples ranging from a prokaryotic cyanobacterium to eukaryotic fish.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Spáčil, Zdeněk, 1982-
(författare)
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Mass Spectrometry of Biologically Active Small Molecules : Focusing on polyphenols, alkaloids and amino acids
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The foci of this dissertation are on advanced liquid chromatography (LC) separation and mass spectrometry (MS) techniques for the analysis of small bioactive molecules. In addition to discussing general aspects of such techniques the results from analyses of polyphenols (PPs), alkaloids and amino acids published in five appended studies are presented and discussed. High efficiency and well understood principles make LC the method of choice for separating analytes in many kinds of scientific investigations. Moreover, when LC is coupled to an MS instrument, analytes are separated in two stages: firstly they are separated and pre-concentrated in narrow bands using LC and then separated according to their mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios in the MS instrument. Some MS instruments can provide highly accurate molecular weight measurements and mass resolution allowing identification of unknown compounds based purely on MS data, thus making prior separation unnecessary. However, prior separation is essential for analyzing substances in most complex matrices – especially useful is the ultra-high performance LC (UHPLC). The advantages of using UHPLC rather than HPLC for the analysis of PPs in tea and wine were evaluated in one of the studies this thesis is based upon. The phenolic composition of red wine was also examined, using a novel LDI technique, following solid phase extraction (SPE). A class of small aromatic molecules (medicinally important alkaloids) also proved to be amenable to straightforward analysis, by thin layer chromatography (TLC) work-up followed by LDI-MS. Finally, a LC-MS method for monitoring neurotoxins (β-N-methyl-amino-L-alanine and 2,3-diaminobutyric acid) in complex biological matrices was developed and applied. Overall, the studies show that careful attention to the physicochemical properties of analytes can provide insights that can greatly facilitate the development of alternative methods to analyze them, e.g. by LDI.
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| 9. |
- Spacil, Zdenek, et al.
(författare)
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Matrix-less laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry of polyphenols in red wine
- 2009
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Ingår i: Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. - : Wiley. - 0951-4198 .- 1097-0231. ; 23:12, s. 1834-1840
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) of small molecules is challenging and in most cases impossible due to interferences from matrix ions precluding analysis of molecules <300-500 Da. A common matrix such as ferulic acid belongs to an important class of compounds associated with antioxidant activity. If the shared phenolic structure is related to the propensity as an active MALDI matrix then it follows that direct laser desorption/ionisation should be possible for polyphenols. Indeed matrix-less laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry is achieved whereby the analyte functions as a matrix and was used to monitor low molecular weight compounds in wine samples. Sensitivity ranging from 0.12-87 pmol/spot was achieved for eight phenolic acids (4-coumaric, 4-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, ferulic, gallic, protocatechuic, syringic, vanillic) and 0.02 pmol/spot for trans-resveratrol. Additionally, 4-coumaric, 4-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, ferulic, gallic, syringic, vanillic acids and trans-resveratrol were identified in wine samples using accurate mass measurements consistent with reported profiles based on liquid chromatography (LC)/MS. Minimal sample pre-treatment make the technique potentially appropriate for fingerprinting, screening and quality control of wine samples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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