Analysis of molecular species of phospholipids by field desorption mass spectrometry

Abstract

Various glycerophospholipids including their trimethylsilyl and t‐butyldimethylsilyl derivatives and cerebroside were analysed by field desorption mass spectrometry with a silicon emitter. Choline glycerophospholipids with diacyl residues and also alk‐1′‐enyl and acyl residues gave the readily interpretable field desorption mass spectra in which a sodium cluster ion [M + Na]⁺ was a base peak. As to phosphatidylethanolamine and cerebroside, a protonated molecular ion [M + H]⁺ was a base peak. The TMS and TBDMS derivatives gave a molecular ion [M]⁺. The field desorption analysis of natural phospholipids from myelin was carried out in comparison with the gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis.