title: Investigation of the derivatization conditions for GC-MS metabolomics of biological samples.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metabolomics applications represent an emerging field where significant efforts are directed. Derivatization consists prerequisite for GC-MS metabolomics analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Common silylation agents were tested for the derivatization of blood plasma. Optimization of methoxyamination and silylation reactions was performed on a mixture of reference standards, consisting of 46 different metabolites. Stability of derivatized metabolites was tested at 4°C.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Optimum results were achieved using N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide. Methoxyamination at room temperature for 24 h followed by 2-h silylation at high temperature lead to efficient derivatization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Formation and stability of derivatives among metabolites differ greatly, so derivatization should be studied before application in metabolomics studies.
authors.affiliation: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Chemistry, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moros
authors.affiliation: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Chemistry, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasia Chrysovalantou
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Chatziioannou
authors.affiliation: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Helen G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Gika
authors.affiliation: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raikos
authors.affiliation: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Chemistry, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Theodoridis
mesh_terms: D000081:Acetamides / Q000737:chemistry; D000586:Amination; D005463:Fluoroacetates / Q000737:chemistry; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D055432:Metabolomics / Q000379:methods*; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014297:Trimethylsilyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000081:Acetamides; D005463:Fluoroacetates; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D014297:Trimethylsilyl Compounds; C086665:N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide
keywords: GC–MS; derivatization; metabolomics