Quantitative Analysis of Animal Hair Fibers Using a Benchtop MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometer

Introduction

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometers (MALDI-TOF MS) feature simple and rapid acquisition of molecular weight information from a wide range of macromolecular samples, including peptides, proteins and synthetic macromolecules. MALDI-TOF MS is widely used to determine the molecular weights of synthesized products and natural substances in R&D laboratories and on site in the quality control field. One of the new uses of MALDI that has been advocated is a method for differentiation of animal hair by detecting species-specific peptides in animal hair. This differentiation method is approved by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as a "method for proteomic analysis of cashmere and some other animal hair fibers" and is defined by an ISO standard . This differentiation is considered to have the potential for application not just to fake cashmere but also to contamination of food etc., by inclusion of foreign matter, since analysis is possible even with just a single hair. This article introduces an example of quantitative analysis of animal hair fibers using a MALDI-8020 benchtop MALDI-TOF MS.

July 23, 2019 GMT