Prior to mass spectrometric analysis, cellular small molecules must be extracted and separated from interfering components such as salts and culture medium. To ensure minimal perturbation of metabolism, yeast cells grown in liquid culture are rapidly harvested by filtration as described here. Simultaneous quenching of metabolism and extraction is afforded by immediate immersion in low-temperature organic solvent. Samples prepared using this method are suitable for a range of downstream liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses and are stable in solvent for >1 yr at -80°C.
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