title: Optimization of a modified aerospray deposition device for the preparation of samples for quantitative analysis by MALDI-TOFMS.
abstract: A modified aerospray apparatus was used to prepare a thin layer sample of matrix and analyte for quantitative analysis by MALDI-TOFMS. The apparatus consists of a set of coaxial tubing; the liquid sample is forced by a syringe pump through the inner capillary and it is nebulized by a flow of gas through the outer capillary. The small droplets of sample exiting the device are deposited onto a rotating plate, which serves as the sample surface for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. An optimization was carried out after initial experiments with the device resulted in poorer than expected reproducibility of analyte signal. A two-level plus center point factorial experiment was performed investigating several factors, including the inner capillary internal diameter, gas pressure, liquid flow, spray distance, and time. After optimization the within-sample reproducibility of the analyte signal improved 3-fold, while the sample-to-sample reproducibility improved 4.5-fold.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: April
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holcomb
authors.forename: Kevin G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Owens