title: Improved matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation sample preparation of a partially depolymerised cellulose derivative by continuous spray deposition and interfacing with size-exclusion chromatography.
abstract: Continuous spray deposition (CSD) of aqueous solutions of partially depolymerised methyl cellulose was found to improve matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) sample preparation. One feature was that the sensitivity in MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometry increased up to an order of magnitude compared with the standard sample preparation method. Another feature was that CSD provided targets for MALDI with homogeneously distributed analyte. This resulted in a more even signal intensity and a higher reproducibility than in the standard method. High-mass discrimination was more pronounced in CSD than in the standard method. Size-exclusion chromatography with aqueous eluent was coupled online to CSD onto matrix-precoated foils. The suitability for determination of the molar mass distribution of methyl cellulose was investigated.
authors.affiliation: Division of Technical Analytical Chemistry, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, S-221 00 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Dane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Momcilovic
authors.forename: Karl-Gustav
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Wahlund
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wittgren
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brinkmalm
mesh_terms: D001704:Biopolymers / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D002850:Chromatography, Gel / Q000379:methods*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D008747:Methylcellulose