title: Beta-methylamino-L-alanine analysis by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with iTRAQ as the derivative.
abstract: Amino acid BMMA is produced by cyanobacteria and has been linked to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. We developed a method for quantitative analysis of BMAA in biological samples and plant extracts. The method is utilizing iTRAQ and LC-MS/MS detection using multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method uses 50 microL of sample and has a limit of quantitation of 300 ng mL(-1), within-run run imprecision below 1%. Using this method we analyzed human serum samples, human cerebrospinal fluid samples and extract of the cycad seed. No BMAA could be detected in the human samples. Content of BMAA in the seed was 50 mg kg(-1).
authors.forename: Mark M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kushnir
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bergquist
mesh_terms: D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D032462:Cycadopsida / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D010936:Plant Extracts; C001824:beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine