TLC-MALDI

The hyphenated TLC-MALDI approach requires uniform coverage of the TLC lanes with the MALDI matrix as preparative step. This can be automated with state-of-the-art sample preparation technology using the innovative ImagePrep matrix deposition device in lieu of TLC sprayers. The ImagePrep device allows embedding of the analyte molecules in the matrix with highest spatial resolution and reproducibility.

After TLC separation and matrix preparation, the aluminum-backed HPTLC plate is mounted on the appropriate MTP TLC adapter.

Dedicated TLC-MALDI wizard software turns the MALDI mass spectrometer into a molecular TLC reader. The TLC-MALDI software is intuitive and provides an easy-to-handle and fully integrated process that includes automatic data acquisition, evaluation, and post-processing. For each lane a chromatographic plot is generated providing extracted ion chromatograms of individual analytes and the respective MALDI mass spectrum. MS/MS acquisition support is integrated as well.

TLC-MALDI is successfully used for lipidomics. Phospholipids are hardly accessible with LC-MS due to their non-polar chemical nature. On the other hand, direct analysis of the crude mixture suffers signal suppression effects. However, complex mixtures of lipids can be separated by TLC very easily and the novel TLC-MALDI approach renders subsequent MS and MS/MS characterization easy.