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Investigating protein adsorption on polymer surfaces by MALDI-TOFMS requires thorough optimization of sample preparation particularly due the low amounts present.
The most critical step is the generation of a homogenous MALDI matrix layer on a large sample surface. The hydrophobic surface of the PE-UHMW samples favored the formation of a liquid film if the matrix was not carefully applied droplet by droplet. Especially folded regions, which can occur after applying the thin polymer samples to the ITO slides after cryo- microtomy, provide problems regarding matrix crystallization. MALDI matrix solution application with slowly evaporating solvents leads to a matrix flow leaving no matrix on folded areas but large crystals on planar regions. This can ofcourse favor disadvantageous analyte diffusion. Additionally it is known that protein desorption/ionization during the MALDI process is more effective after incorporating analytes in solvent systems containing acidic components, as a consequence of efficient protonation. On the polymer surfaces, however, organic solvent systems were shown in preliminary results to have better crystallization properties,most likely due to their much higher volatility [23]. Further studies showed now that organic solvent systems revealed very small crystal sizes and homogenous covering of the polymeric material, while aqueous solvent systemsresulted in im proved signal quality but less favorable sweet spot formation in combination with sometimes very small areas covered with high concentrations of matrix. The matrix/solvent system turned out to be performing best with respect to signal quality (signal-to-noise, intensity and mass resolution), surface coverage and applicability was a solution of ACN/aqueous 0.1% TFA at a ratio of 70/30 for both HCCA and SA. For matrix application the piezo printer (Chip1000) and the air brush instrument were compared with special respect to analyte diffusion.To prevent the formation of a thin solvent layer on top of the polymer due to droplets trickling away, the distance between singlematrix droplets (approx.80pL) applied with the piezo printer was setto100 _m. Tocover the total area of 25 mm2 long printing operation times were necessary (upto5h). For this, analyte diffusion was investigated when using an airbrush system instead of the piezo printer for MALDI matrixde position to reduce overall operating times. A peptide standard,500fM leucine-enkephalin,was deposited on an ITO target with the piezo printer using the area print mode of the instrument,which leads to a complete covering of a pre-defined area. This area was then covered with HCCA as MALDI matrix using the airbrush. We observed a recognizable liquid layer of solvent on the ITO target, which evaporated more slowly than the MALDI matrix/solventsys- tems applied by the piezo printer. Thus after drying, light microscopy revealed a thin matrix layer with homogeneous crystal distribution. Moreover MSI experiments demonstrated (Fig.3) that the airbrush represents a matrix application device sufficient for matrix application without significant analyte dislocation at a lateral resolution of 100 _m. The very sharp edged area visualized for the peptide ion emphasizes the accuracy of peptide application by the piezo printer.The applied peptide was perfectly preserved and detected after MALDI matrix application.
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