Direct coupling of a free-flow isotachophoresis (FFITP) device with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI- MS)

Author(s)

Park, J. K. ^[1] ; Campos, C. D. M. ^{[2, 1]} ; Neuzil, P. ^{[3, 1]} ; Abelmann, L. ^{[1, 4]} ; Guijt, R. M. ^{[1, 5, 6]} ; Manz, A. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Korea Inst Sci & Technol KIST Europe, D-66123 Saarbrucken - Germany

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Brno Univ Technol, Cent European Inst Technol, CZ-61600 Brno - Czech Republic

^[4] Univ Twente, MESA, NL-7500 AE Enschede - Netherlands

^[5] Univ Tasmania, Sch Med, Hobart, Tas 7001 - Australia

^[6] Univ Tasmania, ACROSS, Hobart, Tas 7001 - Australia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: LAB ON A CHIP; v. 15, n. 17, p. 3495-3502, 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 10

Abstract

We present the online coupling of a free-flow isotachophoresis (FFITP) device to an electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI-MS) for continuous analysis without extensive sample preparation. Free-flow-electrophoresis techniques are used for continuous electrophoretic separations using an electric field applied perpendicular to the buffer and sample flow, with FFITP using a discontinuous electrolyte system to concurrently focus a target analyte and remove interferences. The online coupling of FFITP to ESI-MS decouples the separation and detection timeframe because the electrophoretic separation takes place perpendicular to the flow direction, which can be beneficial for monitoring (bio)chemical changes and/or extensive MSn studies. We demonstrated the coupling of FFITP with ESI-MS for simultaneous concentration of target analytes and sample clean-up. Furthermore, we show hydrodynamic control of the fluidic fraction injected into the MS, allowing for fluidically controlled scanning of the ITP window. Future applications of this approach are expected in monitoring biochemical changes and proteomics. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/06625-2 - Development of enzymatic microdevices for glutamate analysis in complex matrixes
• Grantee: Camila Dalben Madeira Campos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 11/02477-3 - Development of a Lab-on-a-chip for glutamate analysis in Foodstuffs
• Grantee: Camila Dalben Madeira Campos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate