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    Structural Specificity in Lipidomics

    Isomers, Isobars and Isotopes …

    Posted on August 14, 2019 |

    One of the biggest challenges we face in the study of lipids by mass spectrometry is dealing with the overwhelming number of lipid isomers and isobars and trying to address isotopic overlap in a way that enables correct identification and quantitative results. Due to the polymeric nature of lipids, these struggles are the rule and not the exception, and they present unique challenges to lipid analysis.

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    Analysis of Lipids by High-resolution, Accurate Mass Measurement Mass Spectrometry

    Posted on May 31, 2019 |

    Today’s topic for discussion is high resolution, accurate mass measurement mass spectrometry (HRAM MS) as it applies to the analysis of lipids. Mass analyzers generally come in two flavors: Low resolution or High resolution. Low resolution mass analyzers, such as quadrupoles or ion traps, yield broad peaks, which may not have full isotopic resolution and yield nominal or integer mass information. Here the mass measurement error is in the first decimal place. High resolution mass analyzers such as TOFs, Orbitraps, or FTMS (does anyone make a magnetic sector anymore?) yield fully resolved isotope peaks with mass measurement error in the fourth decimal place or beyond.

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