Effects of passion fruit (Passiflora tenuifila Killip) intake on eutrophic and obese subjects: Lipidomic approach

Obesity and overweight result in metabolic changes that build up as risk factors for the development of the main non-communicable diseases. Among these alterations, dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CDV) and is expressed in elevated plasma levels of triacylglycerols, cholesterol, and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL, VLDL) and decreased plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Passiflora tenuifila Killip is a native passion fruit species of the Brazilian Midwest region and is a good source of proanthocyanidins and dietary fibers. Proanthocyanidins are a class of phenolic compounds that are attributed with improving lipoprotein profile properties, translated as improved LDL/HDL ratio. Fibers are fermented by the gut microbiota and produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), also involved in the regulation of energetic metabolism.. A 30-consecutive-day-long intervention with lyophilized P. tenuifila flour was performed in eutrophic and obese subjects. Passion fruit ingestion increased fecal production of acetate, key SCFA in the modulation of lipid metabolism; reduced body fat percentage in all subjects; and reduced total cholesterol (TC) of subjects who presented basal CT > 130 mg/dL. After the intervention, plasma lipidomic analysis detected 44 statistically significant lipids, regardless of BMI. Considering the study population with altered TC, reduced levels of glycerophospholipids were observed, a lipid class studied for their involvement in CVD. The intake of P. tenuifila contributed to the improvement in cardiovascular risk markers and acts on lipid metabolism. These effects may be due to synergic action between the bioactive compounds in the fruit. Still, other studies are necessary to identify mechanisms related to the action of bioactives of P. tenuifila, which can be better directed by this lipidomic approach

A obesidade e o sobrepeso são preocupações resultam em alterações metabólicas que se acumulam como fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento a longo prazo das principais doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. Dentre essas alterações, a dislipidemia um importante fator de risco para doenças cardiovasculares (DCV), expressa em níveis plasmáticos elevados de triacilgliceróis, colesterol e das lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (VLDL, LDL), e níveis diminuídos da lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL). Passiflora tenuifila Killip é uma espécie de maracujá nativa da região Centro-Oeste brasileira, e é uma boa fonte de proantocianidinas e fibras alimentares. As proantocianidinas são compostos fenólicos com reportados efeitos na melhora do perfil de lipoproteínas, traduzida como a relação LDL/HDL. As fibras são fermentadas pela microbiota intestinal e produzem ácidos graxos de cadeia curta (AGCC), metabólitos também envolvidos na regulação do metabolismo energético.. Assim, a lipidômica não-target é aplicada como ferramenta exploratória neste estudo: uma intervenção de 30 dias consecutivos de ingestão de P. tenuifila na forma de farinha liofilizada em indivíduos eutróficos e obesos. O consumo do maracujá promoveu aumento da produção fecal de acetato, AGCC importante na modulação do metabolismo lipídico; a redução do percentual de gordura corporal em todos os indivíduos; e redução do colesterol total (CT) para os indivíduos com CT > 130 mg/dL. A análise lipidômica do plasma detectou 44 lipídios estatisticamente relevantes, independentemente do IMC, após a intervenção. Considerando a população do estudo com CT alterado, foi observada uma redução de glicerofosfolipídios, classe de lipídios estudada pelo seu envolvimento em DCV. Assim, a ingestão de P. tenuifila contribui para a melhora nos marcadores de risco cardiovascular e atua no metabolismo lipídico. Estes efeitos podem ser decorrentes de sinergia entre os diversos compostos bioativos do fruto. Ainda, outros estudos são necessários para identificar mecanismos relacionados a ação dos bioativos da P. tenuifila e estes podem ser mais bem direcionados pela lipidômica

Extracción e identificación de lípidos polares de las microalgas Nannochloropsis oceanica y Desmodesmus asymmetricus / Extraction and identification of polar lipids from microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica and Desmodesmus asymmetricus / Extração e identificação os lipídios polares das microalgas Nannochloropsis ocean ca e Desmodesmus asymmetricus

Resumen Los lípidos polares de las microalgas sor de gran interés debido a su aplicación como ingredientes naturales novedosos para las industrias cosmética, nutricional y farmacéutica. Por ello, el presente trabajo buscó determinar el efecto de los principales factores en la extracción e identificación de los lípidos polares de las microalgas Nannochloropsis oceanica y Desmodesmus asymmetricus, mediante el diseño de superficie de respuesta de Box-Behnken y el diseño factorial completo, respectivamente. Estas cepas del Banco de Germoplasma de Organismos Acuáticos (BGOA - IMARPE) fueron cultivadas en un invernadero, en biorreactores de 30 litros, centrifugadas y liofilizadas. Los lípidos fueron extraídos con cloroformo-metanol, fraccionados y analizados con un espectrómetro de masas Waters Xevo G2-XS QTOF. La maximización de la extracción de los lípidos totales determinó un valor óptimo de la relación masa-solvente de 25mg/3 mL, una proporción 1:1 de cloroformo-metanol, aproximadamente, y un tiempo del baño de ultrasonido entre 10 y 30 min. Los principales lípidos polares identificados para N. oceanica fueron lisofosfatidilcolina (LPC), diacilgliceril-N,N,N-trimetilhomoserina (DGTS), digalactosil diacilglicerol (DGDG) y monogalactosil diacilglicerol (MGDG) y para D. asymmetricus fueron sulfoquinovosil diacilglicerol (SQDG), LDGTS, DGTS, DGDG y MGDG.

Abstract The microalgae polar lipids are of great interest due to their application as novel natural ingredients for the cosmetic, nutritional, and pharmaceutical industry. For this reason, the present work sought to determine the effect of the main factors in the extraction and identification of polar lipids from the microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica and Desmodesmus asymmetricus, using Box-Behnken response surface methodology design and full factorial design, respectively. These strains from the Germplasm Bank of Aquatic Organisms (BGOA - IMARPE) were grown in a greenhouse, in 30 L bioreactors, centrifuged and lyophilized. The lipids were extracted with chloroform-methanol, fractionated and analyzed with the Waters Xevo G2-XS QTOF mass spectrometer. The maximization of total lipid extraction determined an optimal value of the mass-solvent ratio of 25 mg / 3 mL, an approximate ratio of chloroform-methanol 1:1 and an ultrasound bath time between 10 and 30 min. The main polar lipids identified for the N. oceanica microalgae were lysophophatidylcholine (LPC), diacylglyceryl-N,N,N-trimethylhomoserine (DGTS), digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), and monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and for D. asymmetricus were sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG), LDGTS, DGTS, DGDG, and MGDG.

Resumo Os lipídios polares das microalgas possuem grande interesse em sua aplicação como novos ingredientes naturais na indústria cosmética, nutricional e farmacêutica. A presente pesquisa procura determinar o efeito dos principais fatores na extração e identificação dos lipídios polares das microalgas Nannochloropsis oceanica e Desmodesmus asymmetricus, por meio do um experimento de Box-Behnken e um experimento fatorial completo, respectivamente. As cepas do Banco do Germoplasma do Organismos Aquáticos (BGOA - IMARPE), foram cultivadas em casa de vegetação, em biorreatores do 30 L, centrifugadas e liofilizadas. Os lipídios foram extraídos com clorofórmio-metanol, fracionados e analisados com o espectrómetro do massa Waters Xevo G2-XS QTOF. A maximização da extração lipídica determinou um valor ótimo da razão massa-solvente de 25 mg / 3 mL, uma proporção aproximadamente clorofórmio-metanol de 1:1 e no tempo do banho de ultrassom entre 10 e 30 minutos. Os principais lipídios polares identificados para das microalgas N. oceanica foram lisofosfatidilcolina (LPC), diacilgliceril-N,N,N-trimetil-homoserina (DGTS), digalactosil diacilglicerol (DGDG) e monogalactosil diacilglicerol (MGDG), e para D. asymmetricus foram sulfoquinovosil diacilglicerol (SQDG), LDGTS, DGTS, DGDG e MGDG.

[De novo biosynthesis of glycerophospholipids and longevity]. / Biosíntesis de novo de glicerofosfolípidos y longevidad.

BACKGROUND: The glycerophospholipids, synthesised from diacylglycerol (DAG), are one of the main lipid components of cell membranes. The lipid profile is an optimised feature associated with animal longevity. In this context, the hypothesis is presented that the DAG biosynthesis rate, and thus, the glycerophospholipids content, is related to animal longevity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A plasma lipidomic analysis was performed based on the mass spectrometry of 11 mammalian species with a maximum longevity ranging from 3.5 to 120 years. Lipid identification was based on exact mass, retention time, and isotopic distribution. ANOVA test was applied to differentiate the lipids between animal species. The relationship between these lipids and longevity was carried out with a Spearman correlation. Data was analysed using SPSS and MetaboAnalyst. RESULTS: Among the 1,061 different lipid molecular species found between species, 47 were defined as DAG. Interestingly, 14 of them showed a negative correlation with mammalian maximum longevity. Multivariate statistics revealed that 14 DAGs were enough to define mammalian species and their maximum longevity. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that long-lived mammalian species have a lower rate of glycerophospholipids synthesis through the de novo pathway, possibly associated with a lower rate of membrane lipid exchange, which in turn is related to lower energy expenditure.

Exploring the role of lipids in protein modification and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / Explorando o papel dos lipídeos na modificação de proteínas e esclerose lateral amiotrófica

Lipids are a diverse and ubiquitous group of compounds, which have several biological functions such as structural components of cell membranes, energy storage, and participation in signaling pathways. Free radicals or reactive oxygen species could attack polyunsaturated fatty acid esterified to phospholipids generating oxidized products. Once oxidized, lipids are able to modify amino acids residues in proteins leading to modulation signaling pathways and cellular redox balance. Furthermore, alteration of lipid homeostasis is also linked to development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. The purposes of this study were (i) to investigate the role of lipids in protein aggregation, (ii) to investigate the plasma lipidome of an ALS rat model (SOD1G93A rats), and (iii) to investigate the effect of high-fat diet in plasma lipidome of an ALS rat model. In chapters 1 and 2, the interaction between cytochrome c (cytc) and cardiolipin hydroperoxide (CLOOH), as well as cholesterol hydroperoxide (ChOOH) promoted protein aggregation. Mass spectrometry analysis of tryptic peptides from CLOOH-containing reaction revealed K72 and H26 consistently modified by 4- hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). Further, adduction of K27, K73 and K88 were detected with 4- oxynonenal (4-ONE). For the first time, we characterized the dityrosine cross-linked peptides at Y48-Y74, Y48-97 and Y74-Y97 in oligomeric cytc. Similarly, ChOOH-containing reaction showed dityrosine cross-linked peptides at Y48-Y48, Y48-Y74 and Y48-Y97 in dimeric cytc. In accordance to previous studies, the proposed mechanism under covalent protein oligomerization mediated by lipid hydroperoxide could be related to modification of lysine and tyrosine residues. In chapter 3, we characterized the lipid composition of blood plasma in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), since dysregulation of lipid metabolism is increasingly associated with neuropathology. Using untargeted lipidomics approach based on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, we found main alterations in triglycerides, phospholipids and sphingolipids in symptomatic ALS rats relative to controls. Additionally, for the first time we reported acylceramides species in the plasma. In order to investigate the source of these lipid alterations, we analyzed the lipid content of fractioned lipoproteins. Triglycerides and phospholipids were found in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), while acylceramides and hexosylceramides were found enriched in high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In chapter 4, high-fat diet containing lard or high-fish oil as much as 60% of total lipids has both the largest change on plasma lipid composition. Overall survival was not statistically different when compared to control diet. Increased levels of acylceramides, hexosylceramides and acylcarnitines were observed in ALS rats fed a control diet or high-fat diet in comparison to WT controls. Importantly, untargeted lipidomic analysis of blood plasma highlighted acylceramide d18:1/24:1+20:4 as potential biomarkers of ALS progression. Thus, our lipidomic analysis provides a novel insight into the molecular level event driving molecular dysregulation in ALS. Additional research is needed to determine the effect of plasma lipid alteration on motor neuron process and energetic metabolism. Collectively, our findings reinforce the idea that lipids play a relevant role in modulating cellular processes linked to protein aggregation and neurodegeneration

Os lipídeos são moléculas que possuem várias funções biológicas importantes, atuando como componente de membranas celulares, servindo com fonte de reserva de energia e participando de vias de sinalização. Os ácidos graxos poli-insaturados esterificados aos fosfolipídeos, por exemplo, são potenciais alvos para o ataque de radicais livres gerando produtos oxidados que são capazes de modificar resíduos de aminoácidos em proteínas levando a modulação das vias de sinalização e balanço redox. Por outro lado, alteração na homeostase do metabolismo dos lipídeos está relacionada ao desenvolvimento e progressão de doenças neurodegenerativas. Tendo em vista a importância dos lipídeos nos processos biológicos, os objetivos desse estudo foram (i) investigar o papel dos lipídeos na agregação proteica (capítulo 1 e 2), (ii) investigar as alterações na composição lipídica do plasma de rato modelo SOD1G93A de esclerose lateral amiotrófica (ELA) (capítulo 3) e (iii) investigar o efeito da suplementação de dietas hiperlipídicas na composição lipídica do plasma de rato modelo SOD1G93A (capítulo 4). No capítulo 1 e 2, a interação do citocromo c (citc) com hidroperóxido de cardiolipina (CLOOH) e hidroperóxido de colesterol (ChOOH) promove a agregação covalente do citc. Análise por nLC-MS/MS dos peptídeos digeridos identificou resíduos de lisina (K72) e histidina (H26) modificado por 4-hidroxininenal (4-HNE), enquanto os resíduos K27, K73 e K88 foram modificados por 4-oxinonenal (4-ONE). Pela primeira vez, nós caracterizamos ditirosinas (Y48-Y74, Y48-97 e Y74-Y97) na reação do citc com CLOOH. Também foram caracterizadas ditirosinas envolvendo os resíduos Y48-Y48, Y48-Y74 e Y48-Y97 na reação com ChOOH. Esses resultados corroboram com estudos anteriores que sugerem um mecanismo de agregação proteica envolvendo a perda da carga positiva de lisina e formação de ditirosina pela combinação de radicais de tirosil. No capítulo 3, a análise da composição lipídica do plasma de ratos SOD1G93A utilizando LC-MS/MS revelou alterações significativas na composição de triglicérides, glicerofosfolipídeos e esfingolipídeos em ratos sintomáticos comparado com os assintomáticos. É importante destacar que pela primeira vez acilceramidas foram identificadas em plasma de rato modelo para ALS. Análise da composição lipídica de lipoproteínas isoladas, maior fonte de lipídeos circulantes no plasma, mostraram alterações de triglicérides e glicerofosfolipídeos em VLDL. As acilceramidas e as hexosilceramidas, por sua vez, foram encontradas em maior abundância em HDL. No capítulo 4, a suplementação com dietas hiperlipídicas (rica em banha de porco e óleo de peixe) alterou significativamente o perfil lipídico do plasma em relação a doença. Contudo, não foi observado aumento significativo na sobrevida dos ratos ALS comparado com dieta controle. Independente da dieta, a concentração plasmática de acilcarnitina, hexosilceramidas e acilceramidas foram significativamente aumentadas em ratos ALS comparado com WT. A análise do perfil lipídico do plasma mostrou que a acilceramida d18:1/24:1+20:4 pode ser um potencial marcador de progressão da ALS. Dessa forma, os resultados mostrados fornecem uma visão enriquecedora sobre o evento a nível molecular que conduz a desregulação lipídica na ELA. Coletivamente, nossos resultados reforçam a importância dos lipídeos na modulação dos processos celulares ligados a agregação de proteínas e na neurodegeneração

Efeito da administração dos sucos de laranja, cvs. Pera e Moro, sobre o estresse oxidativo e lipídios plasmáticos em indivíduos obesos com resistência à insulina / Effect of orange juice administration, cvs. Pera and Moro, on oxidative stress and plasma lipid profile in obese individuals with insulin resistance

A obesidade é um dos principais fatores etiológicos do desenvolvimento da resistência à insulina, e ambos são responsáveis, em parte, pelo aumento do estresse oxidativo e diabete mellitus tipo 2. Vários estudos têm mostrado os benefícios de uma dieta rica em vegetais e frutas, devido à ação dos compostos bioativos sobre os parâmetros clínicos e estresse oxidativo. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar os efeitos dos sucos de laranja, obtido das variedades Pera e Moro, sobre os marcadores bioquímicos e de estresse oxidativo, em indivíduos com resistência à insulina, classificados através do índice HOMA-IR. Os voluntários foram suplementados durante 15 dias com os sucos de laranja em um ensaio crossover, com washout de 40 dias. Nos dias 0 e 16 de cada ensaio, foram registrados parâmetros antropométricos e de consumo alimentar, e coletadas amostras de sangue e urina pra análises bioquímicas e de estresse oxidativo. A composição de flavonoides entre as variedades de suco foi similar, diferindo no conteúdo de ácido ascórbico e antocianinas do suco de laranja Moro. Não foram observadas mudanças nos parâmetros de estresse oxidativo após a administração dos sucos de laranja, com exceção do 8-OHdG urinário, um marcador de dano oxidativo ao DNA que apresentou-se reduzido após ambas as intervenções. Dados clínicos não foram significativamente modificados, entretanto, observou-se grande variabilidade interindividual nos valores de pressão arterial e lipídios séricos. A partir desta premissa, foi realizada a análise lipidômica do plasma com amostras do ensaio com o suco de laranja cv. Pera e observaram-se reduções significativas nos triglicérides, principalmente aqueles compostos de ácidos graxos saturados ou monoinsaturados, ou contendo ao menos uma cadeia de ácido linoleico, além do aumento de espécies de acilcarnitinas de cadeia longa. O consumo de ambos os sucos de laranja parece exercer um efeito protetor contra o dano oxidativo ao DNA, provavelmente por ação não-enzimática. A análise lipidômica do plasma sugere que o suco de laranja cv. Pera pode modular o metabolismo de lipídios, relacionados à lipogênese de novo e beta-oxidação

Obesity is one of the main etiological factors of insulin resistance development, and both are responsible, in part, for the increase on oxidative stress and Diabetes mellitus type 2 development. Several studies have showed the benefits of a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, due to the action of bioactive compounds on biochemical and oxidative stress parameters. The aim of this study was to study the effects of orange juices obtained by varieties Pera and Moro on oxidative stress and clinical biomarkers, in obese subjects with insulin resistance, classified through the HOMA-IR index. The volunteers consumed both orange juices for 15 days with in a crossover design, with 40-day washout period. On days 0 and 16 of each trial, anthropometric and food consumption parameters were registered, and blood and urine samples were collected to analyze biochemical parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers. The flavonoids content of both juices was similar, but only orange juice from Moro variety contained anthocyanins and higher ascorbic acid content. No changes in oxidative stress markers were found after juice administration, except for urinary 8-OHdG, an oxidative DNA damage marker, which was reduced after both interventions. Clinical data were not significantly modified, but a high interindividual difference was observed in blood pressure and serum lipids. From this point of view, plasma lipidomic analysis was performed with samples of clinical trial with orange juice cv. Pera and showed significant decrease in triglycerides, mainly those with saturated or monounsaturated fatty acids, or containing at least one linoleic acid (related with inflammatory processes), besides the increase of long chain acylcarnitines. The intake of both orange juices appears to have a protective effect against DNA damage, probably by non-enzymatic action. Plasma lipidomic analysis suggests that Pera orange juice can modulate lipid metabolism related to de novo lipogenesis and fatty acid beta-oxidation

The impact of obesity in the cardiac lipidome and its consequences in the cardiac damage observed in obese rats.

AIMS: To explore the impact of obesity on the cardiac lipid profile in rats with diet-induced obesity, as well as to evaluate whether or not the specific changes in lipid species are associated with cardiac fibrosis. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were fed either a high-fat diet (HFD, 35% fat) or standard diet (3.5% fat) for 6 weeks. Cardiac lipids were analyzed using by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: HFD rats showed cardiac fibrosis and enhanced levels of cardiac superoxide anion (O2), HOMA index, adiposity, and plasma leptin, as well as a reduction in those of cardiac glucose transporter (GLUT 4), compared with control animals. Cardiac lipid profile analysis showed a significant increase in triglycerides, especially those enriched with palmitic, stearic, and arachidonic acid. An increase in levels of diacylglycerol (DAG) was also observed. No changes in cardiac levels of diacyl phosphatidylcholine, or even a reduction in total levels of diacyl phosphatidylethanolamine, diacyl phosphatidylinositol, and sphingomyelins (SM) was observed in HFD, as compared with control animals. After adjustment for other variables (oxidative stress, HOMA, cardiac hypertrophy), total levels of DAG were independent predictors of cardiac fibrosis while the levels of total SM were independent predictors of the cardiac levels of GLUT 4. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that obesity has a significant impact on cardiac lipid composition, although it does not modulate the different species in a similar manner. Nonetheless, these changes are likely to participate in the cardiac damage in the context of obesity, since total DAG levels can facilitate the development of cardiac fibrosis, and SM levels predict GLUT4 levels.

Espectrometría de masas en condiciones ambientales con ionización por desorción con electrospray / Desorption electrospray ionization ambient mass spectrometry

La espectrometría de masas (MS) en condiciones ambientales es un campo nuevo de gran utilidad y de rápido crecimiento que provee espectros de masas de alta sensibilidad directamente a partir de superficies a presión atmosférica. Para ello se utilizan diversas técnicas de ionización, entre ellas: la ionización por desorción con electrospray (DESI: desorption electrospray ionization), el análisis directo en tiempo real (DART: direct analysis in real time), la ionización por desorción asistida por plasma (PADI: plasma assisted desorption ionization) y la ionización extractiva por electrospray (EESI: extractive electrospray ionization). Este trabajo se refiere en particular a los fundamentos y aplicaciones de DESI-MS con espectrometría de masas de imágenes. Entre otras aplicaciones, DESI es utilizado para el análisis directo de medicamentos y formulaciones farmacéuticas, muestras de fluidos biológicos, análisis forense, impresiones digitales, alimentos, cultivos de bacterias, identificación y distribución espacial de compuestos químicos en tejidos de origen animal y vegetal, y análisis de biomarcadores moleculares. Se destaca la posibilidad de combinación con cromatografía en capa delgada y con electroferogramas a fin de identificar mediante espectrometría de masas los compuestos presentes. Esta técnica no requiere preparación de las muestras y no implica el uso de matrices de ionización. Esto simplifica enormemente el procedimiento experimental y evita la redistribución de los analitos durante la deposición de la matriz. Se discute el análisis forense realizado con DESI-MS y DESI-MS/MS, respecto a: la detección de explosivos y agentes simulantes de guerra química en superficies sólidas cerca o a distancia del espectrómetro, análisis de telas o vestimenta en busca de explosivos y drogas, análisis de imágenes para la verificación de documentos, análisis sobre piel humana, análisis de residuos de disparos, análisis de gases tóxicos industriales y de agentes simulantes de guerra, de destilados de petróleo y de polímeros sintéticos. Se analizan las aplicaciones efectuadas en el campo de la lipidómica, proteómica y metabolómica. Por último, se brinda la información existente sobre el análisis cuantitativo realizado mediante DESI-MS.

Ambient mass spectrometry is a useful and rapidly growing new field that provides high sensitivity mass spectra directly from surfaces at atmospheric pressure. Various ionization techniques, including desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), direct analysis in real time (DART), plasma assisted desorption ionization (PADI) and extractive electrospray ionization (EESI) have been used. This paper refers particularly to the fundamentals and applications of DESI-MS based on imaging mass spectrometry. Among other applications, DESI is used for direct analysis of drugs and pharmaceutical formulations, samples of biological fluids, forensics, fingerprints, food, cultures of bacteria, identification and spatial distribution of chemicals in animal and plant tissues, and molecular biomarkers. It highlights the possibility of combination with thin layer chromatography and electropherograms to identify the compounds by mass spectrometry. This technique requires no sample preparation, and does not involve the use of matrix of ionization. It simplifies greatly the experimental procedure and avoids the redistribution of analytes during matrix deposition. The forensic analysis carried out by DESI-MS and DESI-MS/MS is discussed, including the detection of explosives and chemical warfare agents on solid surfaces near or at a distance from the mass spectrometer, analysis of fabric or clothing for explosives and drugs, image analysis for verification of documents, analysis of human skin, gunshot residue analysis, analysis of toxic gases and industrial warfare agent simulants, petroleum distillates and synthetic polymers. Aplications in the field of lipidomics, proteomics, and metabolomics are analyzed. Finally, current information on the quantitative analysis performed by DESI-MS is provided.