title: The potential of mass spectrometry for the global profiling of parasite metabolomes.
abstract: The strengths and limitations of existing mass spectrometry methods for metabolite detection and identification are discussed. A brief review is made of the methods available for quenching and extraction of cells or organisms prior to instrumental analysis. The techniques available for carrying out mass spectrometry-based profiling of metabolomes are discussed using the analysis of extracts from trypanosomes to illustrate various points regarding methods of separation and mass spectrometric analysis. The advantages of hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) for the analysis of polar metabolites are discussed. The challenges of data processing are outlined and illustrated using the example of ThermoFisher's Sieve software. The existing literature on applications of mass spectrometry to the profiling of parasite metabolomes is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, 27, Taylor Street, Glasgow G4 0NR, UK. d.g.watson@strath.ac.uk
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D055442:Metabolome; D055432:Metabolomics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010271:Parasites / Q000378:metabolism*; D010274:Parasitology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*