Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Fatty Acids Composition Investigation of Natural Lipids: A Multidisciplinary Workshop.

Abstract

Rationale: Teaching mass spectrometry essentials is usually connected with one of the basic courses for undergrads. Thus, specific previous knowledge is required from students. However, the necessity of teaching mass spectrometry essentials to students of different academic specializations and multidisciplinary groups can arise in every academic group. A specific workshop is needed to address such a demand.

Methods: The presented workshop consisted of several thematic parts: assembling an ambient ionization ion source using improvised materials, preparing biological samples for analysis, data acquisition, and interpretation of data to solve a simple problem from the real world.

Results: The first part of the work consisted of assembling an ambient ionization setup and obtaining mass spectra of substances from standard solutions, natural mixtures, and biological fluids such as saliva. The second half of the workshop consists of analyzing the composition of fatty acids of natural and artificial fats using the same ion source. The identification of oils is a simple model problem that makes the workshop attractive for attendees with different backgrounds.

Conclusions: The workshop provides students with practical skills that are highly valuable in fundamental and applied mass spectrometry. Students familiarize themselves with the basic concepts, instrument use, and mass spectra interpretation. They achieve basic hands-on experience in experimentation procedures and the practice of using mass spectrometry to solve problems related to real life.