Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced that a research group has implemented the Thermo Scientific Xseries 2 ICP-MS to perform reliable and interference-free sulphur detection in proteins.
The analytical spectrometry research group at the University of Oviedo in Asturias, Spain, aims to solve the analytical challenges encountered by science and technology.
Within this framework, a small sub-group has been established focusing on the development of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) based analytical methods for the quantification of biopolymers such as DNA and proteins.
One of the principal issues faced by the group is the interference from gas-based polyatomics such as oxygen in the determination of sulphur when using a low-resolution instrument.
To eliminate these problems, the group selected the Thermo Scientific Xseries 2 ICP-MS with collision/reaction cell technology (CRC).
Quantitative protein analysis is currently one of the most demanding applications in analytical chemistry.
Mass spectrometric techniques such as electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) have traditionally played a key role in protein analysis.
However, the potential of ICP-MS has recently been recognised for the determination of proteins.
Although ICP-MS detection does not provide any structural information, its capability to quantify most of the elements proves valuable for accurate protein quantification.
The University of Oviedo's research group has coupled the Xseries 2 ICP-MS with a reversed-phase capillary liquid chromatography (uLC) system to facilitate precise determination of sulphur isotopes in standard proteins.
Dr Jorg Bettmer of the University of Oviedo's analytical spectrometry research group, said: 'The Thermo Scientific XSERIES 2 ICP-MS has allowed us to achieve reliable, interference-free detection of sulphur isotopes.
'It has enabled us to determine sulphur-containing standard proteins in an accurate and efficient manner,' he added.
The Xseries 2 offers quadrupole ICP-MS for both routine and high-performance analytical applications.
By using the system, laboratories can achieve analytical objectives faster, with less hands-on time from the operator.
The ion lens design of the instrument enables simple field upgrade to collision cell technology (CCT) performance without affecting the normal (non-CCT mode) sensitivity or background.
The cell is also compatible with a range of reactive gases, such as pure oxygen for interference suppression in challenging matrices.
