Nanoparticles Applied to Mass Spectrometry Metabolomics and Pesticide Residue Analysis

Abstract

In this chapter, we review the achievements in application of nanoparticles and nanotubes to mass spectrometry metabolomics of plants. Ultraviolet matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (UV-MALDI-MS) using nanoparticles as the matrices enables biologists to directly analyze metabolite composition of plant tissues. In addition, due to its high sensitivity and low limit of detection, it is applied to plant single-cell analysis for metabolite profiling of pico- to nanoliter of cell microsample with metabolite concentration of femto- to picomolar. In addition to the detection, the technique provides quantitative information of metabolite composition of plant single cells. Another interesting feature of nanoparticle UV-MADI-MS is its applicability to direct analysis of pesticide residues on agricultural products. The technique has been able to detect main component and degradation products of commercial pesticides sprayed on plants in a greenhouse.