Flow field-flow fractionation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and metal speciation in proteins: A feasibility study

Abstract

The feasibility of trace metal speciation in proteins directly using flow field-flow fractionation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (FlFFF-ICP-MS) was investigated. The effect on the separation of the FlFFF system cross flow rate was demonstrated for a carbonic anhydrase and alcohol dehydrogenase mixture. Preliminary studies with FlFFF-ICP-MS were applied to several protein standards including metallothionein, carbonic anhydrase, ceruloplasmin, alcohol dehydrogenase, and thyroglobulin. Cadmium was detected in metallothionein; copper and zinc in carbonic anhydrase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and ceruloplasmin, and iodide in thyroglobulin.