An electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometric (ESI-MS-MSn) study of dehydroascorbic acid hydrolysis at neutral pH.

The hydrolysis of dehydroascorbic acid (DAAH) at neutral pH and 27 degrees C was investigated by direct infusion electrospray ionisation ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). This approach permitted derivatisation and elution procedures to be avoided, reducing to the minimum extent sample manipulation and allowing a rapid and direct observation of the species involved in the reaction. Six main peaks, related to hydrated dehydroascorbate (HyDAA-) and diketogulonate (HyDKG-) anions, were observed in the mass spectra of DAAH solutions at different times of incubation and were characterised by MSn experiments. The relevant signal intensities changed with time and a model, based on the irreversible pseudo-first order HyDAA(-)-->HyDKG- conversion, fitted successfully the data obtained for dehydroascorbate. The kinetic constant of the process was (3.2 +/- 0.5) x 10(-2) min-1. The influence of metal ion traces on the hydrolysis rate was also checked, performing experiments in the presence of EDTA, and was found to be negligible.