Mid-infrared matrix assisted laser desorption ionization with a water/glycerol matrix

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectra were obtained using a water and glycerol matrix with a tunable mid-infrared optical parametric oscillator, The matrix consists of a 1:1 mixture of water and glycerol deposited on a thin layer of nitrocellulose and cooled to -30 degrees C, When exposed to vacuum, most of the water evaporates, leaving a matrix of glycerol with residual water. The peptide bradykinin and the protein bovine insulin were used to rest this new matrix. Mass spectra were obtained for bradykinin between 2.76 and 3.1 mu m with the maximum analyte signal at 2.8 mu m. Mass resolution in excess of 2000 for bradykinin and 500 for insulin was obtained with delayed ion extraction and a linear time of flight mass spectrometer. The addition of nitrocellulose to the matrix resulted in exceptionally durable samples: more than 10,000 laser shots which produced analyte signal could be obtained from a single sample spot. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.