Investigation of the derivatization conditions for GC-MS metabolomics of biological samples

• Published in: Bioanalysis Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 53 - 65
• Main Authors: Moros, Georgios, Chatziioannou, Anastasia Chrysovalantou, Gika, Helen G, Raikos, Nikolaos, Theodoridis, Georgios
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Future Science Ltd 01-01-2017
• Subjects: Acetamides - chemistry; Amination; derivatization; Fluoroacetates - chemistry; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - methods; GC-MS; Humans; Indicators and Reagents; metabolomics; Metabolomics - methods; Plasma - chemistry; Plasma - metabolism; Trimethylsilyl Compounds - chemistry; metabolomics; GC–MS; derivatization
• ISSN: 1757-6180; 1757-6199
• DOI: 10.4155/bio-2016-0224

Metabolomics applications represent an emerging field where significant efforts are directed. Derivatization consists prerequisite for GC-MS metabolomics analysis.
Common silylation agents were tested for the derivatization of blood plasma. Optimization of methoxyamination and silylation reactions was performed on a mixture of reference standards, consisting of 46 different metabolites. Stability of derivatized metabolites was tested at 4°C.
Optimum results were achieved using N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide. Methoxyamination at room temperature for 24 h followed by 2-h silylation at high temperature lead to efficient derivatization.
Formation and stability of derivatives among metabolites differ greatly, so derivatization should be studied before application in metabolomics studies.