Gold nanoparticles for enhanced ionization and fragmentation of biomolecules using LDI-MS

摘要

New applications for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry are presented here. This work expands on previous biomolecule studies and introduces carbohydrates, steroids, bile acids, and other small molecules as a focus. Broad trends in ionization are observed, and specifically of interest are new species that have not previously been reported from AuNPs (e.g., [M + Au](+)). Interesting fragmentation effects have been observed for diphenhydramine, including similarity to electron impact mass spectra and possible radical driven reactions, providing insight into the mechanism of ionization when using AuNPs.