Sérgio Adriano Saraiva

Single embryo and oocyte lipid fingerprinting by mass spectrometry

Methods used for lipid analysis in embryos and oocytes usually involve selective lipid extraction from a pool of many samples followed by chemical manipulation, separation and characterization of individual components by chromatographic techniques. Herein we report direct analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) of single and intact embryos or oocytes from various species. Biological samples were simply moisturized with the matrix solution and characteristic lipid (represented by phosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins and triacylglycerols) profiles were obtained via MALDI-MS. As representative examples, human, bovine, sheep and fish oocytes, as well as bovine and insect embryos were analyzed. MALDI-MS is shown to be capable of providing characteristic lipid profiles of gametes and embryos and also to respond to modifications due to developmental stages and in vitro culture conditions of bovine embryos. Investigation in developmental biology of the biological roles of structural and reserve lipids in embryos and oocytes should therefore benefit from these rapid MALDI-MS profiles from single and intact species.

Amazonian Vegetable Oils and Fats: Fast Typification and Quality Control via Triacylglycerol (TAG) Profiles from Dry Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI−TOF) Mass Spectrometry Fingerprinting

Amazonian oils and fats display unique triacylglycerol (TAG) profiles and, because of their economic importance as renewable raw materials and use by the cosmetic and food industries, are often subject to adulteration and forgery. Representative samples of these oils (andiroba, Brazil nut, buriti, and passion fruit) and fats (cupuaçu, murumuru, and ucuúba) were characterized without pre-separation or derivatization via dry (solvent-free) matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Characteristic profiles of TAG were obtained for each oil and fat. Dry MALDI-TOF MS provides typification and direct and detailed information, via TAG profiles, of their variable combinations of fatty acids. A database from spectra could be developed and may be used for their fast and reliable typification, application screening, and quality control.

Fabric softeners: nearly instantaneous characterization and quality control of cationic surfactants by easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry.

A tiny droplet of typical samples of fabric softeners from different commercial brands placed on a smooth paper surface was subjected to easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry (EASI-MS). With no need for sample-preparation or pre-separation procedures, EASI-MS and EASI-MS/MS identify nearly instantaneously the main surfactants and the homologous series employed in their formulations. Adulterated and low quality samples containing no or less efficient softeners are also easily recognized.

Easy Ambient Sonic-Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometric of Olive Oils: Quality Control and Certification of Geographical Origin

Herein, we show that easy ambient sonic spray ionization mass spectrometry in the negative ion mode [EASI(-)-MS] of water:methanol extracts of olive oil samples from 5 different countries (Portugal, Italy, Spain, Lebanon, and Greece) provides very characteristic profiles of chemotaxonomic markers, that is, free fatty acids and phenols. These EASI(-)-MS fingerprints, acquired with great speed and simplicity after minimal sample preparation, permits secure identification of the samples as olive oils via their unique profiles of fatty acids plus phenolic constituents as well the certification of geographical regions via characteristic features of the profiles of phenolic constituents.

Minireview: A Caritical Review of the Transition Metal Ions Influence on Peroxyoxalate Chemiluminescence

ABSTRACT A detailed study and evaluation of the presence of Cr(III), Zn(II) and Pb(II) and various parameters affecting the intensity of the chemiluminescent reaction of TCPO and 2-NPO with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of 3-aminofluoranthene, as the fluorophore, and imidazole (IMI) as catalyst, is presented. Depending on the unprotonated imidazole and fluorophore concentrations, these metal ions enhance the intensity of the fluorophore at pHs higher than 8.0. At pH = 7.0, in the presence of IMI/HIMI+ (IMI = 1×10−2 mol.L−1), tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane or HPO4 2−/H2PO4 − buffers, no effect of these metal ions was observed. A critical comparison with the data reported in the literature is presented.

Parameters Affecting the Peroxyoxalate Chemiluminescence

ABSTRACT A careful study of the parameters affecting the chemiluminescent reaction of TCPO (bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)oxalate) and 2-NPO (bis(2-nitrophenyl)oxalate) with hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of imidazole (used as buffer and catalyst) and the fluorophore 3-AFA (3-aminofluoranthene), was carried out in acetonitrile/water medium. The data are reported in terms of the time (tImax) required for the relative maximum chemiluminescence intensity (Imax) and the area (A) under the curve of intensity νs. time. At controlled acidity and high unprotonated imidazole concentration ([IMI] = 1x10−2 mol.L−1), the Imax and tImax values do not depend on the acetonitrile/water ratio. The CL intensity is maximum at around pH 6.0 (higher buffer capacity). For 1x10−2 < [IMI] < 1x10−4 mol.L−1, the area is largest when [IMI] = 1x10−3 mol.L−1 and linearly dependent on the hydrogen peroxide concentration (10−5 − 10−3 mol.L−1). The area is also enhanced by increasing the fluorophore concentration. The acidity controls t...

Blends of soybean biodiesel with petrodiesel: direct quantitation via mass spectrometry

Quantitation and identification of blends of soybean biodiesel with petrodiesel were performed via mass spectrometry using two ionization techniques: electrospray ionization (ESI) and Venturi easy ambient sonic-spray ionization in its liquid mode (VL-EASI). Different soybean biodiesel/petrodiesel blends (from B0 to B100) were diluted and then directly infused and analyzed by both techniques. To investigate adulteration of Bn blends, different soybean oil/biodiesel and soybean oil/petrodiesel blends were analyzed. Analytical curves were obtained in three replicates. The two techniques were shown to provide reasonably accurate quantitation in the B1-B20 range. These techniques were also successfully used to detect contamination or adulteration of Bn blends with vegetable oils. ESI is a widely used and commercially available technique whereas a VL-EASI source can be easily mounted using common laboratory parts requiring no use of high voltages. Both techniques require no pre-separation or derivatization steps and offer, therefore, simple and fast methods for the quantitation of Bn blends. The comprehensive snapshots of the molecular composition also allow quality control and typification of the biodiesel and eventually of the vegetable oils in illegal admixtures.