Matrix-free laser desorption–ionization with silver nanoparticle-enhanced steel targets

Preparation is described of durable surface of cationic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), covering commercial and modified MALDI targets, along with characterization of nanoparticles properties and examples of the use in MS analyses of various low molecular weight (LMW) organic compounds, including saccharides, amino acids, nucleosides, glycosides, sulfonic acids, aldehydes and nucleic bases. The new surface allowed higher sensitivity of detection, being attomoles for d-ribose. Examples of application of new Ag nanoparticle-enhanced target for analysis of biological samples, urine and blood serum, are also presented.

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► We report the preparation of novel silver nanoparticle-enhanced targets (AgNPET).
► AgNPET was used for successful analysis of low molecular weight compounds.
► New method allows precise 4–10 point calibration for sub-mDa errors.
► The surface allowed detection of d-ribose in the attomoles quantity.