Recent applications of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and 31 P NMR spectroscopy in phospholipid research

Abstract

Detailed lipid analysis is an increasingly important task as the contribution of phospholipids (PLs) to many pathologies (e.g., arteriosclerosis), as well as signal transduction processes is well known. Unfortunately, established analytical techniques are often time-consuming, whereas sensitive methods allowing lipid analysis in a single step and without intense sample work-up are rare. This review focuses on matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Special attention will be given to the quantitative aspects and problems emerging from different detectabilities of individual lipid classes. 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is another very useful, but so far underestimated, method allowing the differentiation of most PL classes, even in mixtures. Quantitative analysis can be performed easily by integration of individual resonances. Special emphasis will be given to the combined MALDI-TOF MS and 31P NMR analysis of lipid extracts; it will be shown that the combination of both techniques may help to overcome common problems in lipid analysis.