Molecular identification in metabolomics using infrared ion spectroscopy

Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 13;7(1):3363. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-03387-4.

Abstract

Small molecule identification is a continually expanding field of research and represents the core challenge in various areas of (bio)analytical science, including metabolomics. Here, we unequivocally differentiate enantiomeric N-acetylhexosamines in body fluids using infrared ion spectroscopy, providing orthogonal identification of molecular structure unavailable by standard liquid chromatography/high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. These results illustrate the potential of infrared ion spectroscopy for the identification of small molecules from complex mixtures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / urine*
  • Humans
  • Metabolism, Inborn Errors / diagnosis*
  • Metabolism, Inborn Errors / urine
  • Metabolomics*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Sialic Acids / metabolism*
  • Spectrophotometry, Infrared / methods*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Sialic Acids

Grants and funding