Suitable analysis of α-amino acids by a direct combination of thin-layer chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry in conjunction with post-chromatographic fixed-charge derivatization.

On-spot fixed-charge derivatization has been suggested for the modification of α-amino acids for their analysis by thin layer chromatography/matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (TLC/MALDI) mass spectrometry. The approach was based on post-chromatographic treatment of separated analytes by tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)methenium salt and triethylamine. The reaction proceeded smoothly in mild conditions and gave rise to pink-red colored derivatives, containing permanent positive charge. Their MALDI mass spectra, recorded directly from TLC plates, revealed intense peaks corresponding to decarboxylated cationic parts. All derivatives are characterized by high ionization efficiency, which indicates the high sensitivity of the developed method for analyzing amino acids. Applicability of the method to analysis of amino acids was demonstrated on artificial mixtures and dietary supplement.

Derivatization of Aminoglycoside Antibiotics with Tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)carbenium Ion.

Detection of aminoglycoside antibiotics by MS or HPLC is complicated, because a) carbohydrate molecules have low ionization ability in comparison with other organic molecules (particularly in MALDI-MS), and b) the lack of aromatics and/or amide bonds in the molecules makes common HPLC UV-detectors useless. Here, we report on the application of a previously developed method for amine derivatization with tris(2,6- dimethoxyphenyl)carbenium ion to selective modification of aminoglycoside antibiotics. Only amino groups bound to primary carbons get modified. The attached aromatic residue carries a permanent positive charge. This makes it easy to detect aminoglycoside antibiotics by MS-methods and HPLC, both as individual compounds and in mixtures.