Size exclusion chromatography-chemical reaction interface mass spectrometry: "A perfect match"

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) has been coupled to chemical reaction i nterface mass spectrometry (CRIMS) for the analysis of biopolymers, This in novative combination allows the analysis of biopolymers with no limitation on the molecular weight and chemical composition of the species under inves tigation. With SEC-CRIMS we have examined different classes of biopolymers including polynucleotides, proteins, and polysaccharides. Moreover, CRIMS a llows the simultaneous detection of multiple organic elements and their sta ble isotopes. When SEC is interfaced to CRIMS, further information (element al detection) is obtained, enhancing the analytical capability of SEC. Thes e features have been applied to the detection of a labeled protein (C-13-ra t growth hormone) in plasma and to the characterization of heparin and low molecular weight heparin from different: sources.