The Thermo Scientific SMART Digest Kit is applied for generation of peptides from therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in 60 minutes. Peptide mapping samples were analysed on a Thermo Scientific UltiMate U3000 RSLC system coupled to a Thermo Scientific Q Exactive HF with Biopharma Option. Separation of sample peptides was performed on a Thermo Scientific Acclaim RSLC 120, C18, 2.2 µm analytical column using a 30 minute separation gradient, yielding excellent chromatographic separation and high sequence coverage.

Plasma free metanephrine (MN) and normetanephrine (NMN), collectively known as Pmets, are important molecules for clinical research. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has become widely used to measure Pmets because of its high analytical sensitivity and specificity. Because Pmets are very polar, special solid phase extraction (SPE) and chromatographic methods have been developed for their analysis. Ion-paring (IP)-SPE, which has been used to purify a wide range of polar compounds, is well suited for the purification of Pmets.

Whey proteins, most notably alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin, are currently being investigated for their potential positive health benefits. Whey proteins are a substantial percentage of human milk (~60%) while such proteins are less abundant in cow milk (~20%). We describe a method for the identification of the various forms of caseins and whey proteins as a first step and then intact protein-based method for determination of the whey vs. casein protein ratio.

In March 2007, several North American manufacturers of pet food voluntarily issued nationwide recall notices for some of their products that were reportedly associated with renal failure in pets. It was discovered that melamine-contaminated China-sourced ingredients had been used to prepare feed for chickens, swine, and catfish. Consequently, the FDA and the USDA have developed methods for the analysis of melamine residues in animal tissue. Both methods use tandem MS detection and employ disposable strong cation exchange SPE cartridges to prepare samples for liquid chromatographic analysis.

Mycotoxins are potentially toxic secondary metabolites produced by different species of fungi. The main relevant species occurring on cereals are Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp. and Aspergillus sp. The fungal contamination can either occur on the field or during storage. For cereals and baby food, the European Union (EU) legislation currently sets maximum levels (ML) for key mycotoxins. We describe a simple and fast multi-mycotoxin method that covers the legislated mycotoxins as well as 5 metabolites.