Continuous flow infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization with a solvent matrix

Continuous flow matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) was dem onstrated with infrared laser desorption and an ethanol matrix. A capillary was used to deliver an analyte solution dissolved in ethanol to a metal fr it embedded in a sample stage. Typical how rates were 1.7 mu L/min. An opti cal parametric oscillator tuned to 2.8 mu m was used for desorption and ion ization, and mass analysis was achieved with a 1 m linear time-of-flight ma ss spectrometer. Flow injection studies were performed with low picomolar q uantities of insulin and myoglobin in solutions containing 0.1 to 1.0% glyc erol in ethanol, Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.