Nanomaterial based affinity matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for biomolecules and pathogenic bacteria.

This paper describes mass spectrometry (MS) using nanoparticles (NPs) for the analysis of biomolecules such as aminothiol compounds, drugs, peptides, proteins, and bacteria. Papers and patents dealing with preparation and use of several NPs in MS have been briefly reviewed, including carbon nanotubes, gold NPs, and magnetic NPs. The NPs or bioconjugated NPs were used for selective concentration and/or assisted matrices for desorption and ionization of analytes of interest. When compared to conventional organic matrixes, the NPs provide low MS background in low-mass region and low shot-to-shot variation. MS techniques using NPs and bioconjugated NPs for the analysis of disease-associated biomarkers and bacteria in real samples such as blood and urine are highlighted, showing the advantages of high sensitivity, reproducibility, and simplicity.