Cf plasma desorption mass spectrometry of a polycyclic peptide antibiotic, nisin.

The polycyclic peptide antibiotic, Nisin, has been analysed by plasma desorption mass spectrometry using two different sample preparation techniques and two versions of the commercial plasma desorption mass spectrometer, and a prototype with high resolving power. The spectra obtained allow identification of a major component and two minor analogues. Extensive fragmentation is observed in samples prepared by the electrospray technique, whereas only ions indicating the molecular weight are produced when the sample is adsorbed on nitrocellulose.