Differentiation of Animal Hairs 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 covers the differentiation of animal hairs using the MALDI-8020, which is a benchtop MALDI-TOF MS.

June 25, 2019 GMT