Solvent Effects Used for Optimal Simultaneous Analysis of Amino Acids via 19F NMR Spectroscopy

F-19 NMR has been extensively used in simultaneous analysis of multicomponent due to its 100% natural isotope abundance, high NMR-sensitivity, and wide-range chemical shifts. The solvent effects are usually observed in NMR spectroscopy and cause large changes in F-19 chemical shifts. Herein, we propose that the simultaneous analysis of a complex mixture can be achieved using solvent effects via F-19 NMR spectroscopy, such as a mixture solution of amino acids (AAs). AAs are not only cell-signaling molecules, but are also considered as biomarkers of some diseases. Hence, the analysis of AAs is important for human health and the diagnosis of diseases. In this work, the key to the success of sensing 19 biogenic AAs is the use of 2-fluorobenzaldehyde (2FBA) as a highly sensitive derivatizing agent and solvent effects to produce distinguishable F-19 NMR signals. As a result, the resolution of F-19 NMR spectroscopy of multiple 2FBA-labeled AAs is obviously higher than other methods based on F-19 NMR. Moreover, 14 and 18 AAs can be satisfactorily differentiated and unambiguously identified in different complicated media supporting the growth of mammalian cells. Furthermore, quantification of the concentration of AAs can be made, and the limit of detection reaches 10 mu M. Our work provides new insights into the simultaneous analysis of a multicomponent mixture based on solvent effects by F-19 NMR spectroscopy.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the simultaneous analysis of a complex mixture using solvent effects by F-19 NMR spectroscopy, which enables the identification and quantification of multiple amino acids. This method has important implications for human health and disease diagnosis.