The Kansas Lipidomics Research Center's Analytical Laboratory has two electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometers (Applied Biosystems API 4000 and Applied Biosystems Q-TRAP). We also have a chip-based nanoelectrospray source (Advion Nanomate) that makes analysis of small samples entirely practicable. These instruments can also be interfaced with autosamplers. In addition, we have an electrospray ionization quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Applied Biosystems Q_STAR Elite) for accurate mass analysis and two gas chromatograph/mass spectrometers (Agilent, with chemical ionization and electron impact). We offer characterization and quantitation of phospholipid and galactoglycerolipid molecular species (see
species analyzed) from crude solvent extracts of living tissues. We are currently prepared to analyze the major lipid species from
plant,
yeast, and
animal samples.
ESI results in the generation of singly charged molecular ions with excellent concentration sensitivity, while an MS/MS precursor scan allows detection of all species within a lipid head group class. Sequential scanning of the crude extracts in various MS/MS precursor scan modes gives a complete profile of the molecular species in many lipid classes, with speciation to the level of total acyl chain length and total number of double bonds. A more detailed explanation is available.
