title: Selective detection of alkaloids in MALDI-TOF: the introduction of a novel matrix molecule.
abstract: The current manuscript presents 3-[5'-(methylthio)-2,2'-bithiophen-5-ylthio]propanenitrile (MT3P), as a novel matrix molecule, which facilitates the selective ionization of alkaloids in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Exhibiting strong ionizing properties at low levels of laser energy, MT3P was evaluated on 55 compounds belonging to various chemical families. The observed molecular ion yields induced by MT3P were compared with those obtained by commercially available matrices such as 1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-one, α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, 2,2':5',2"-terthiophene and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid. In conclusion, MT3P displayed excellent ionization properties for 23 out of 25 investigated alkaloids, while showing little to no interaction with compounds from different chemical origin. Further, in comparison to other tested matrices, MT3P generally facilitated better ionization of alkaloids. Eventually, levels of laser energy were adjusted to obtain spectra with significantly reduced matrix noise.
authors.affiliation: UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université d'Angers-Laboratoire SONAS, 16 Boulevard Daviers, 49045 Angers, Cedex 01, France. pharm@gmx.at
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schinkovitz
authors.forename: Ghislain Tsague
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Kenfack
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seraphin
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Levillain
authors.forename: Maryléne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Richomme
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids