Sugars and sucrose transporters in pollinia of Phalaenopsis aphrodite (Orchidaceae).

The pollen grains of Phalaenopsis orchids are clumped tightly together, packed in pollen dispersal units called pollinia. In this study, the morphology, cytology, biochemistry, and sucrose transporters in pollinia of Phalaenopsis orchids were investigated. Histochemical detection was used to characterize the distribution of sugars and callose at the different development stages of pollinia. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution-tandem mass spectrometry data indicated that P. aphrodite accumulated abundant saccharides such as sucrose, galactinol, myo-inositol, and glucose, and trace amounts of raffinose and trehalose in mature pollinia. We found that galactinol synthase (PAXXG304680) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (PAXXG016120) genes were preferentially expressed in mature pollinia. The P. aphrodite genome was identified as having 11 sucrose transporters (SUTs). Our qRT-PCR confirmed that two SUTs (PAXXG030250 and PAXXG195390) were preferentially expressed in the pollinia. Pollinia germinated in pollen germination media (PGM) supplemented with 10% sucrose showed increased callose production and enhanced pollinia germination, but there was no callose or germination in PGM without sucrose. We show that P. aphrodite accumulates high levels of sugars in mature pollinia, providing nutrients and enhanced SUT gene expression for pollinia germination and tube growth.

Thin layer chromatography/desorption flame-induced atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/mass spectrometry for the analysis of volatile and semi-volatile mixtures.

Flame-induced atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (FAPCI) has been used to directly characterize chemical compounds on a glass rod and drug tablet surfaces. In this study, FAPCI was further applied to interface thin layer chromatography (TLC) and mass spectrometry (MS) for mixture analysis. METHODS: A micro-sized oxyacetylene flame was generated using a small concentric tube system. Hot gas flow and primary reactive species from the micro-flame were directed toward a developed TLC gel plate to thermally desorb and ionize analytes on the gel surface. The resulting analyte ions subsequently entered the MS inlet for detection. RESULTS: A 1-1.5-mm-wide light-brown line was observed on the TLC plate after the desorption FAPCI/MS (DFAPCI/MS) analysis, revealing that the gel surface withstood a high temperature from the impact of the micro-flame. Volatile and semi-volatile chemical compounds, including amine and amide standards, drugs, and aromatherapy oils, were successfully desorbed, ionized, and detected using this TLC/DFAPCI/MS. The limit of detection of TLC-DFAPCI/MS was determined to be 5 ng/spot for dibenzylamine and ethenzamide. CONCLUSIONS: TLC/DFAPCI/MS is one of the simplest TLC-MS interfaces showing the advantages such as low costs and an easy set up. The technique is useful for characterizing thermally stable volatile and semi-volatile compounds in a mixture.

Formation of Metal-Adducted Analyte Ions by Flame-Induced Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

A flame-induced atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (FAPCI) source, consisting of a miniflame, nebulizer, and heated tube, was developed to ionize analytes. The ionization was performed by reacting analytes with a charged species generated in a flame. A stainless steel needle deposited with saturated alkali chloride solution was introduced into the mini oxyacetylene flame to generate alkali ions, which were reacted with analytes (M) generated in a heated nebulizer. The alkali-adducted 18-crown-6 ether ions, including (M + Li)(+), (M + Na)(+), (M + K)(+), (M + Rb)(+), and (M + Cs)(+), were successfully detected on the FAPCI mass spectra when the corresponding alkali chloride solutions were separately introduced to the flame. When an alkali chloride mixture was introduced, all alkali-adducted analyte ions were simultaneously detected. Their intensity order was as follows: (M + Cs)(+) > (M + Rb)(+) > (M + K)(+) > (M + Na)(+) > (M + Li)(+), and this trend agreed with the lattice energies of alkali chlorides. Besides alkali ions, other transition metal ions such as Ni(+), Cu(+), and Ag(+) were generated in a flame for analyte ionization. Other than metal ions, the reactive species generated in the fossil fuel flame could also be used to ionize analytes, which formed protonated analyte ions (M + H)(+) in positive ion mode and deprotonated analyte ions (M - H)(-) in negative ion mode.

Flame-induced atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE: Charged species such as formylium (CHO(+) ), hydronium (H3 O(+) ), and water clusters [H3 O(+) (H2 O)n ] are commonly found in flames. These highly reactive species can react with analytes via ion-molecule reactions (IMRs) to form analyte ions. A new mass spectrometric technique, named flame-induced atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (FAPCI-MS), was developed to characterize organic compounds via these mechanisms. METHODS: A commercial corona-discharge atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source was modified by replacing the corona needle with a flame to make a FAPCI source. Liquid samples were vaporized in a heated tube and delivered to the IMRs region by nitrogen to react with the charged species generated by a flame. Analytes on surfaces were directly desorbed and ionized by a flame using the technique called desorption-FAPCI-MS (DFAPCI-MS). RESULTS: Intact molecular ions of various chemical and biological compounds were successfully characterized by FAPCI-MS. The FAPCI mass spectra are nearly identical to those obtained by traditional APCI-MS. The limit of detection (LOD) of reserpine by FAPCI-MS was 50 µg L(-1) with a linear calibration curve (R(2) = 0.9947) from 100 µg L(-1) to 10 mg L(-1) . The LOD for ketamine by DFAPCI-MS was estimated to be less than 0.1 ng. CONCLUSIONS: In FAPCI, analytes are not incinerated but vaporized and introduced into the ion source to react with the reactive charged species generated by a flame. The features of the FAPCI source include: configuration is very simple, operation is easy, high voltage or inert gas is unnecessary, and the source is maintenance free. Various combustible gases, solvents and solids are useful flame fuels for FAPCI. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Simultaneous detection of polar and nonpolar compounds by ambient mass spectrometry with a dual electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source.

A dual ionization source combining electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) was developed to simultaneously ionize both polar and nonpolar compounds. The source was constructed by inserting a fused silica capillary into a stainless steel column enclosed in a glass tube. A high dc voltage was applied to a methanol solution flowing in the fused silica capillary to generate an ESI plume at the capillary tip. A high ac voltage was applied to a ring electrode attached to the glass tube to generate plasma from the nitrogen gas flowing between the glass tube and the stainless steel column. The concentric arrangement of the ESI plume and the APCI plasma in the source ensured that analytes entering the ionization region interacted with both ESI and APCI primary ion species generated in the source. Because the high voltages required for ESI and APCI were independently applied and controlled, the dual ion source could be operated in ESI-only, APCI-only, or ESI+APCI modes. Analytes were introduced into the ESI and/or APCI plumes by irradiating sample surfaces with a continuous-wavelength laser or a pulsed laser beam. Analyte ions could also be produced by directing the dual ESI+APCI source toward sample surfaces for desorption and ionization. The ionization mechanisms involved in the dual ion source include Penning ionization, ion molecule reactions, and fused-droplet electrospray ionization. Standards of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, angiotensin I, lidocaine, ferrocene, diesel, and rosemary oils were used for testing. Protonated analyte ions were detected in ESI-only mode, radical cations were detected in APCI-only mode, and both types of ions were detected in ESI+APCI mode.

Rapid characterization of chemical compounds in liquid and solid states using thermal desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Rapid characterization of thermally stable chemical compounds in solid or liquid states is achieved through thermal desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (TD-ESI/MS). A feature of this technique is that sampling, desorption, ionization, and mass spectrometric detection are four separate events with respect to time and location. A metal probe was used to sample analytes in their solid or liquid states. The probe was then inserted in a preheated oven to thermally desorb the analytes on the probe. The desorbed analytes were carried by a nitrogen gas stream into an ESI plume, where analyte ions were formed via interactions with charged solvent species generated in the ESI plume. The analyte ions were subsequently detected by a mass analyzer attached to the TD-ESI source. Quantification of acetaminophen in aqueous solutions using TD-ESI/MS was also performed in which a linear response for acetaminophen was obtained between 25 and 500 ppb (R(2) = 0.9978). The standard deviation for a reproducibility test for ten liquid samples was 9.6%. Since sample preparation for TD-ESI/MS is unnecessary, a typical analysis can be completed in less than 10 s. Analytes such as the active ingredients in over-the-counter drugs were rapidly characterized regardless of the different physical properties of said drugs, which included liquid eye drops, viscous cold syrup solution, ointment cream, and a drug tablet. This approach was also used to detect trace chemical compounds in illicit drugs and explosives, in which samples were obtained from the surfaces of a cell phone, piece of luggage made from hard plastic, business card, and wooden desk.

Building blocks for the development of an interface for high-throughput thin layer chromatography/ambient mass spectrometric analysis: a green methodology.

Interfacing thin layer chromatography (TLC) with ambient mass spectrometry (AMS) has been an important area of analytical chemistry because of its capability to rapidly separate and characterize the chemical compounds. In this study, we have developed a high-throughput TLC-AMS system using building blocks to deal, deliver, and collect the TLC plate through an electrospray-assisted laser desorption ionization (ELDI) source. This is the first demonstration of the use of building blocks to construct and test the TLC-MS interfacing system. With the advantages of being readily available, cheap, reusable, and extremely easy to modify without consuming any material or reagent, the use of building blocks to develop the TLC-AMS interface is undoubtedly a green methodology. The TLC plate delivery system consists of a storage box, plate dealing component, conveyer, light sensor, and plate collecting box. During a TLC-AMS analysis, the TLC plate was sent to the conveyer from a stack of TLC plates placed in the storage box. As the TLC plate passed through the ELDI source, the chemical compounds separated on the plate would be desorbed by laser desorption and subsequently postionized by electrospray ionization. The samples, including a mixture of synthetic dyes and extracts of pharmaceutical drugs, were analyzed to demonstrate the capability of this TLC-ELDI/MS system for high-throughput analysis.

Gas chromatography combined with flame-induced atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry for the analysis of fatty acid methyl esters and saturated hydrocarbons.

A simple flame-induced atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (FAPCI) source was developed to couple a gas chromatograph (GC) with a mass spectrometer (MS). The interface consisted of a heated transfer line and a high voltage-free ambient FAPCI source. Nitrogen gas flowing through the heated transfer line was utilized to deliver the analytes eluted from a GC column to the ionization region. A micro oxyacetylene flame was positioned under the exit of heated transfer line, which generated primary charged species in the ionization region. Since the temperature at the ionization region was below 200 °C, the analytes were not thermally decomposed. Protonated analytes were formed by reacting the analytes with flame-induced charged species through ion-molecule reactions (IMRs). The simple GC-FAPCI/MS was used to characterize a series of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and long-chain normal alkanes, which showed protonated FAME and oxidized n-alkane ions on the mass spectra. The limits of detection (LODs) for C15:0 to C25:0 FAMEs were 1-2.5 pg. A calibration curve ranging from 2.5 to 500 pg, with a R2 value of 0.9821, was obtained.

Applications of electrospray laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry for document examination.

We have employed electrospray laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (ELDI-MS) to rapidly characterize certain classes of compounds--the inks within the characters made by inks and inkjet printer on regular paper and the chemical compounds within thermal papers. This ELDI-MS approach allowed the ink and paper samples to be distinguished in terms of their chemical compositions. Sample pretreatment was unnecessary and the documents were practically undamaged after examination. The ink chemicals on the documents were desorbed through laser irradiation (sampling spot area: <100 microm(2)); the desorbed molecules then entered an electrospray plume--prepared from an acidic methanol/water solution (50%)--where they became ionized through fusion or ion-molecule reactions with the charged solvent species and droplets in the plume.

Effects of matrix, electrospray solution, and laser light on the desorption and ionization mechanisms in electrospray-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry.

Electrospray-assisted laser desorption ionization (ELDI) is a technique which combines laser desorption with subsequent electrospray ionization. It is useful for directly detecting small and large molecules in solid or liquid samples under ambient conditions. In this paper, the detection of the protein molecules desorbed on a dry protein spot by using pulse laser energies of up to 300 microJ was demonstrated. The influences of organic and inorganic matrices, the laser energy, the laser wavelength, and the sample plate material on desorption of protein molecules from sample plates were discussed. In addition, the effects of the composition of the electrospray solution on the ionization of the desorbed protein molecules were studied.

Fast screening of trace multiresidue pesticides on fruit and vegetable surfaces using ambient ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

An ambient ionization tandem mass spectrometric approach was developed to rapidly screen multiresidue pesticides on fruits and vegetables without sample preparation and chromatographic separation. The residual pesticides on fruits and vegetables were collected by sweeping a metallic probe across the sample surface for 2 cm. The analytes collected on the probe were desorbed and ionized in a thermal desorption electrospray ionization (TD-ESI) source, after which analyte ions were detected by a triple quadruple mass analyzer (QqQ) operated in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. With this TD-ESI/MS/MS approach, 308 pesticides were monitored, where a mixture containing 15 pesticide standards was successfully identified to demonstrate the capability of this approach to screen trace multiresidue pesticides. The approach had reasonable detection limits (<50 ppb) and reproducibility (RSD: 8.43%, n = 9) from the analysis of a benthiazole standard solution. Real samples including a tomato and bell pepper were analyzed using this TD-ESI/MS/MS approach. After TD-ESI/MS/MS analysis, the organic solvent extracts from the same samples were subjected to TD-ESI/MS/MS, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis for validation.

Thin-layer chromatography/laser-induced acoustic desorption/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

The combination of laser-induced acoustic desorption and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LIAD/ESI/MS) can be used to rapidly characterize chemical compounds separated on a thin layer chromatography (TLC) plate. We performed LIAD analysis by irradiating the rear side of an aluminum-based TLC plate with a pulsed infrared (IR) laser. To efficiently generate and transfer acoustic and shock waves to ablate the analyte-containing TLC gels, a glass slide was attached to the rear of the TLC plate and the gap between the glass slide and the TLC plate was filled with a viscous solution (glycerol). Although the diameter of the laser spot created on the rear of the TLC plate was approximately 0.35 mm, the ablated areas on the front sides of the silica gel bed and the C(18) reverse-phase gel bed had diameters of approximately 1.3 and 3 mm, respectively. The ablated analyte molecules were ionized in an ESI plume and then detected by an ion trap mass analyzer. This TLC/LIAD/ESI/MS approach allowed the components in mixtures of dye standards, drug standards, and rosemary essential oil to be separated and rapidly characterized.

Using laser-induced acoustic desorption/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to characterize small organic and large biological compounds in the solid state and in solution under ambient conditions.

We have coupled laser-induced acoustic desorption (LIAD) with electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (LIAD/ESI/MS) to characterize molecules in the solid state and in solution under ambient conditions. To perform an LIAD/ESI analysis, the sample droplet is deposited on the surface of a thin aluminum foil by a micropipette; the rear side of the foil with the sample spot is then irradiated with a pulse from a Nd:YAG IR laser. The resulting shockwave and heat cause the sample on the rear side to change from the condensed phase to the gas phase. The desorbed species then move upward to enter an ESI plume to react with charged solvent species (methanol- and water-related ions and droplets), forming singly or multiply charged analyte ions. A quadrupole/time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass analyzer attached to the LIAD/ESI source detects the analyte ions to obtain an ESI-like mass spectrum. Both small organic and large biological compounds (including amino acids, peptides, and proteins) were successfully ionized and detected by the LIAD/ESI/MS system. Although native and denatured myoglobin ions were both detected from a liquid sample solution, only the denatured myoglobin ions were detected from a dried sample.

Direct and rapid characterization of illicit drugs in adulterated samples using thermal desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Foods and drinks have been adulterated with illicit drugs to facilitate criminal activities. Unfortunately, conventional analytical methods are incapable of rapidly characterizing these drugs in samples, as serious interferences from sample matrices must be removed through tedious and time-consuming pretreatment. Ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AMS) generally does not require sample pretreatment and is thus a suitable tool for directly and rapidly detecting illicit drugs in samples in different physical states. In this study, thermal desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (TD-ESI/MS), an AMS technique, was utilized to efficiently characterize illicit drugs spiked in samples including drinks, powders, and jelly candies. To perform sensitive analysis, the mass analyzer was operated in multiple reaction monitoring mode to monitor the molecular and fragment ions of the target analytes. The time required to complete a typical TD-ESI/MS analysis was less than 30 s. The limits of detection (LODs) for illicit drugs were found to be 100 ppb in drinks, 100-1000 ppb in instant powders, and 1.3-6.5 ng/mm2 on stamp surfaces. FM2 and nitrazepam laced in the inner layer of a jelly candy were detected by TD-ESI/MS, showcasing the advantage of the technique for direct and rapid analysis as opposed to conventional methods.

Simple interface for scanning chemical compounds on developed thin layer chromatography plates using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

A simple and cheap design for interfacing thin layer chromatography (TLC) with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS) was developed to scan and characterize compounds on TLC plate. The developed TLC plate was rapidly and easily modified into two sawtooth-edged pieces that were positioned on an XYZ stage so that one of the triangular tips was pointed toward the MS inlet. A drop of methanol and high DC voltage was applied at the tip to induce ESI. After the analytes in the first tip were analyzed, the TLC piece was moved so that the second triangular tip was pointed toward the MS inlet for analysis. The process was repeated until all the triangular tips on the piece were analyzed. In this manner, the analytes, no matter visible or non-visible bands, were scanned and characterized. Since a 4.8 cm long TLC track were cut to 32 triangles on two sawtooth pieces for analysis, the spatial resolution of using the sawtooth TLC-ESI/MS for analysis is 1.5 mm/band. A mixture of dye standards and Datura metel flower extract was analyzed to demonstrate the capability of sawtooth TLC-ESI/MS on scanning and characterizing chemical compounds on the TLC plates. The limits of detection of the dye standards were between 0.25 and 2.5 ng/band. TLC bands containing alkaloids such as scopolamine and norscopolamine from the Datura metel flower extract were not visualized on the developed TLC track, but were successfully detected at different triangular tips using sawtooth TLC-ESI/MS. Based on these results, the Rf values of scopolamine and norscopolamine were determined.

Electrospray-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for continuously monitoring the states of ongoing chemical reactions in organic or aqueous solution under ambient conditions.

Electrospray-assisted laser desorption/ionization (ELDI) combined with mass spectrometry allows chemical and biochemical compounds to be characterized directly from hydrophilic and hydrophobic organic solutions mixed with carbon powders under ambient conditions. Organic and inorganic compounds dissolved in polar or nonpolar solvent such as methanol, tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, toluene, dichloromethane, or hexane can be detected using this ambient ionization technique without prior pretreatment. We have used this technique to monitor the progress in several ongoing reactions: the epoxidation of chalcone in ethanol, the chelation of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid with copper and nickel ions in aqueous solution, the chelation of 1,10-phenanthroline with iron(II) in methanol, and the tryptic digestion of cytochrome c in aqueous solution. Liquid-ELDI analyses simply require irradiation of the surface of the sample solution with a pulsed ultraviolet laser; the laser energy is adsorbed by the carbon powder presuspended in the sample solution; the absorbed laser energy is then transferred to the surrounding solvent and to the analyte molecules in the solution, leading to their desorption; the desorbed gaseous analyte molecules are then postionized within an electrospray (ESI) plume to generate ESI-like analyte ions.

Detection of native protein ions in aqueous solution under ambient conditions by electrospray laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

Liquid electrospray laser desorption/ionization (ELDI) mass spectrometry allows desorption and ionization of proteins directly from aqueous solutions and biological fluids under ambient conditions. Native protein ions such as those of myoglobin, cytochrome c, and hemoglobin were obtained. A droplet (ca. 5 microL) containing the protein molecules and micrometer-sized particles (e.g., carbon graphite powder) is irradiated with a pulsed UV laser. The laser energy adsorbed by the inert particles is transferred to the surrounding solvent and protein molecules, leading to their desorption; the desorbed gaseous molecules are then postionized within an electrospray (ESI) plume to generate the ESI-like protein ions. With the use of this technique, we detected only the protonated protein ions in various biological fluids (including human tears, cow milk, serum, and bacterial extracts) without interference from their corresponding sodiated or potassiated adduct ions. In addition, we rapidly quantified the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin present in drops of whole blood obtained from diabetic patients without the need of sample pretreatment.

High-throughput screening of phthalate-containing objects in the kindergartens by ambient mass spectrometry.

High-throughput screening of plastic products in children's living environment is necessary to identify phthalate-containing objects for the concern of public health and safety. A novel strategy of probe collecting technique combined with ambient mass spectrometry was developed to carry out the large-scale sample analysis. Analytes from the surface of approximately 500 objects each in two kindergartens in Taiwan were collected using the same number of the metallic probes. After being delivered to laboratory, the analytes on the probes were analyzed with thermal desorption-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (TD-ESI/MS). As sample pretreatment was unnecessary, the analysis of phthalates on a probe was completed within 30 s enabling high-throughput screening of a large number of objects. All procedure including sampling and TD-ESI/MS analysis together with report writing for a kindergarten was completed in one day. A reasonable relative standard deviation (<15.6%) was obtained from replicate analyses of phthalate standards. Single-point calibration was used to perform semi-quantitative analysis, and results were validated by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). It was found that 20-40% of the objects in two kindergartens contained greater than low-level (>2 ng) of phthalates and 40-60% of the objects in the kindergartens contained more than one kind of phthalate.

Flame Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Coupled with Negative Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Ion Molecule Reactions.

Flame atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (FAPCI) combined with negative electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry was developed to detect the ion/molecule reactions (IMRs) products between nitric acid (HNO3) and negatively charged amino acid, angiotensin I (AI) and angiotensin II (AII), and insulin ions. Nitrate and HNO3-nitrate ions were detected in the oxyacetylene flame, suggesting that a large quantity of nitric acid (HNO3) was produced in the flame. The HNO3 and negatively charged analyte ions produced by a negative ESI source were delivered into each arm of a Y-shaped stainless steel tube where they merged and reacted. The products were subsequently characterized with an ion trap mass analyzer attached to the exit of the Y-tube. HNO3 showed the strongest affinity to histidine and formed (Mhistidine-H+HNO3)- complex ions, whereas some amino acids did not react with HNO3 at all. Reactions between HNO3 and histidine residues in AI and AII resulted in the formation of dominant [MAI-H+(HNO3)]- and [MAII-H+(HNO3)]- ions. Results from analyses of AAs and insulin indicated that HNO3 could not only react with basic amino acid residues, but also with disulfide bonds to form [M-3H+(HNO3)n]3- complex ions. This approach is useful for obtaining information about the number of basic amino acid residues and disulfide bonds in peptides and proteins. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.