High throughput quantitative analysis of melamine and triazines by MALDI-TOF MS

Abstract

Quantitative and high throughput MALDI MS analysis of symmetrical triazines (s-triazines), and milk contaminated with melamine has been demonstrated. s-Triazines from a multi component aqueous test mixture, and melamine, a known adulterant in milk, were quantified at low parts-per-million (ppm) level using 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHB) as a matrix. Mass spectral peak intensity ratios of the analyte and a suitable internal standard were used for the quantitation. Limit of detection at 20 ‘parts-per-billion’ (nano molar concentration) has been achieved for the s-triazines from the aqueous mixture. Quantitation from MALDI MS peak intensities was validated using LC-PDA and LC-ESI-MS analysis using both spectral peak intensities and areas under the chromatographic curves. Excellent linearity in low ppm concentrations along with good precision and accuracy, all of which were comparable to LC-ESI-MS data, were obtained with the advantage of rapid analysis.