Electron-transfer MALDI MS methodology for microalgae/phytoplankton pigments analysis

The method describes pigment analysis from microalgae/phytoplankton extracts using electron -transfer Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ET MALDI MS). Cur-rent microalgae/phytoplankton pigment analysis requires resource-and time-intensive chro-matographic methods due to the broad polarity range of the target analytes. On the other hand, traditional MALDI MS chlorophyll analysis, using proton-transfer matrices such as 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) or ������-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), results in central metal loss and phytol-ester cleavage. ET MALDI MS is an alternative for the rapid screening and detec-tion of pigments in microalgae extracts.& BULL; MALDI matrices with ionization energies above 8.0 eV guarantee electron-transfer processes from photosynthetic and photoprotective pigments whose ionization energies lay below 7.5 eV.& BULL; ET MALDI MS pigment analysis agrees with data gathered from conventional chromato-graphic techniques (HPLC) and optical microscopy for pigment extracts from C. vulgaris cul-tures and freshwater phytoplankton samples.& BULL; The ET MALDI MS method allows fast and reliable detection of pigments in microalgae cul-tures and freshwater phytoplankton samples .

Automated summary

This method describes pigment analysis from microalgae/phytoplankton extracts using electron-transfer Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ET MALDI MS). ET MALDI MS is an alternative for the rapid screening and detection of pigments in microalgae extracts, providing a fast and reliable method compared to traditional chromatographic techniques and traditional MALDI MS chlorophyll analysis.