Characterization of pollen by MALDI-TOF lipid profiling

In this study, MALDI-TOF lipid profiling was used as an experimental attempt to characterize pollen grains. Magnolia denudata, Lilium brownii var. viridulum, Pinus tabulaeformis, and Populus tomentosa pollen grains were collected as samples. The lipids in pollen grains were extracted by the methods of microwave-assisted formic acid digestion, microwave-assisted 2-aminoethanol solvolysis, and ultrasonic wave-assisted 2-aminoethanol solvolysis. The extracts were analyzed with an online MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer. Membrane-associated phospholipids (phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine) and diacylglycerol in pollen coats were observed. The method of microwave-assisted formic acid digestion presented better lipid profiles. The characteristic mass peaks observed in the experiment may be used as potential signatures for characterizing pollen grains.

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► Lipids in pollen grains of four species are extracted by digestion and solvolysis.
► The extracts are analyzed with an online MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer.
► Characteristic lipid profiles of pollen grains are obtained.