The improved performance of MALDI-TOF MS on the analysis of herbal saponins by using DHB-GO composite matrix

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is an excellent analytical technique for rapid analysis of a variety of molecules with straightforward sample pretreatment. The performance of MALDI-TOF MS is largely dependent on matrix type, and the development of novel MALDI matrices has aroused wide interest. Herein, we devoted to seek more robust MALDI matrix for herbal saponins than previous reported, and ginsenoside Rb1, Re, and notoginsenoside R1 were used as model saponins. At the beginning of the present study, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) was found to provide the highest intensity for saponins in four conventional MALDI matrices, yet the heterogeneous cocrystallization of DHB with analytes made signal acquisition somewhat “hit and miss.” Then, graphene oxide (GO) was proposed as an auxiliary matrix to improve the uniformity of DHB crystallization due to its monolayer structure and good dispersion, which could result in much better shot-to-shot and spot-to-spot reproducibility of saponin analysis. The satisfactory precision further demonstrated that minute quantities of GO (0.1 μg/spot) could greatly reduce the risk of instrument contamination caused by GO detachment from the MALDI target plate under vacuum. More importantly, the sensitivity and linearity of the standard curve for saponins were improved markedly by DHB-GO composite matrix. Finally, the application of detecting the Rb1 in complex biological sample was exploited in rat plasma and proved it applicable for pharmacokinetic study quickly. This work not only opens a new field for applications of DHB-GO in herbal saponin analysis but also offers new ideas for the development of composite matrices to improve MALDI MS performance.