STUDY OF FROZEN-SOLUTIONS OF NUCLEIC-ACID NITROGEN BASES BY MEANS OF LOW-TEMPERATURE FAST-ATOM-BOMBARDMENT MASS-SPECTROMETRY

Frozen water and glycerol solutions of pyrimidine nitrogen bases of nu cleic acids were studied by means of low temperature fast-atom bombard ment mass spectrometry. The reflection of some phenomena of cryobiolog ical interest was observed in the peculiarities of the low temperature fast-atom bombardment mass spectral patterns. The anomalously high ab undance of clusters of nitrogen bases with alkali-metal ions in the sp ectra of frozen water solutions in contrast to complete absence of suc h clusters for glycerol solutions reflects the concentrating of the so lute during freezing and its prevention by the cryoprotector, glycerol . The effect of dehydration during freezing is reflected in the absenc e of hydrate clusters, while bases solvated by glycerol are recorded.