title: Detection limits of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry coupled to chromatography--a new application of solvent-free sample preparation.
abstract: The detection limits of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) by semi-online coupling with chromatography were investigated using various mixtures of polyethylene oxides (PEOs) with different end groups. In contrast to the common 'dried-droplet' sample preparation technique, which results in an inhomogeneous sample-to-matrix ratio within the MALDI spot, the used coupling technique offers a very high reproducibility combined with surpassing sensitivity of a few femtograms over a broad range of sample-to-matrix ratios. These results are in correlation with the results of the recently established solvent-free MALDI-TOFMS method utilising the grinding approach and are also of assistance towards the more theoretical aspect of MALDI that suggests that there is no necessity for an analyte incorporation into a matrix crystal for excellent matrix-assistance.
authors.affiliation: Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Falkenhagen
authors.forename: Steffen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Weidner