Ion exchange chromatography and mass spectrometric methods for analysis of cadmium-phytochelatin (II) complexes

Abstract

In this study, in vitro formed Cd-phytochelatin (PC2) complexes were characterized using ion exchange chromatography (IEC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The ratio of both studied compounds as well as experimental conditions were optimized. The highest yield of the complex was observed under an applied concentration of 100 μg·mL-1 PC2 and 100 μg·mL-1 of CdCl2. The data obtained show that IEC in combination with MALDI-TOF is a reliable and fast method for the determination of these complexes. © 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.