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Doped nanomaterial facilitates 3D printing target plate for rapid detection of alkaloids in laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

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Abstract

This work aims to rapidly detect toxic alkaloids in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) using laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS). We systematically investigated twelve nanomaterials (NMs) as matrices and found that MoS2 and defect-rich-WO3 (D-WO3) were the best NMs for alkaloid detection. MoS2 and D-WO3 can be used directly as matrices dipped onto conventional ground steel target plates. Additionally, they can be conveniently fabricated as three-dimensional (3D) NM plates, where the MoS2 or D-WO3 NM is doped into resin and formed using a 3D printing process. We obtained good quantification of alkaloids using a chemothermal compound as an internal standard and detected related alkaloids in TCM extracts, Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), Caowu (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix), Chuanwu (Aconiti Radix), and Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex). The work enabled the advantageous “dip and measure” method, demonstrating a simple and fast LDI-MS approach that achieves clean backgrounds for alkaloid detection. The 3D NM plates also facilitated mass spectrometry imaging of alkaloids in TCMs. This method has potential practical applications in medicine and food safety.

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Doped nanomaterial facilitates 3D printing target plate for rapid detection of alkaloids in laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

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Funding

This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 21974152, 81873397).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China

    Chuang Wang & Li Tang

  2. State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, and Laboratory of Toxicant Analysis, Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China

    Chuang Wang, Lu-Yuan Qin, Dong-Mei Li, Jin-Juan Xue, Lei Guo & Jian-Wei Xie

  3. National Anti-Drug Laboratory Beijing Regional Center, Beijing, 100164, China

    Dong-Mei Li

  4. State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China

    Dong-Mei Li & Li-Gang Hu

  5. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Xin-Ping Zhai & Qiang Wang

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  1. Chuang Wang
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Contributions

C. Wang conducted the experiments, analyzed data, interpreted the results, and wrote the primary manuscript. X. Zhai and Q. Wang prepared six NMs with full characterization. L. Hu offered the first batch of 3D RGO plates and according 3D fabrication experience. L. Qin, D. Li, and J. Xue assisted with the experiments and provided valuable suggestions. L. Guo supervised the experiments, revised the manuscript, and provided financial support; L. Tang and J. Xie reviewed the manuscript and approved it for the final release; and L. Tang also provided financial support. All authors provided critical feedback, helped shape the research, and authorized the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Qiang Wang, Lei Guo or Li Tang.

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Wang, C., Qin, LY., Li, DM. et al. Doped nanomaterial facilitates 3D printing target plate for rapid detection of alkaloids in laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 415, 6825–6838 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-023-04961-8

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