Rapid detection of ricin at trace levels in complex matrices by asialofetuin-coated beads and bottom-up proteomics using high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Paloma PiquetJustyna SaadiFrançois FenailleSuzanne R KalbFrançois BecherPublished in: Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry (2024)
Ricin is a toxic protein regarded as a potential chemical weapon for bioterrorism or criminal use. In the event of a ricin incident, rapid analytical methods are essential for ricin confirmation in a diversity of matrices, from environmental to human or food samples. Mass spectrometry-based methods provide specific toxin identification but require prior enrichment by antibodies to reach trace-level detection in matrices. Here, we describe a novel assay using the glycoprotein asialofetuin as an alternative to antibodies for ricin enrichment, combined with the specific detection of signature peptides by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Additionally, optimizations made to the assay reduced the sample preparation time from 5 h to 80 min only. Method evaluation confirmed the detection of ricin at trace levels over a wide range of pH and in protein-rich samples, illustrating challenging matrices. This new method constitutes a relevant antibody-free solution for the fast and specific mass spectrometry detection of ricin in the situation of a suspected toxin incident, complementary to active ricin determination by adenine release assays.
Keyphrases
- liquid chromatography
- high resolution mass spectrometry
- mass spectrometry
- loop mediated isothermal amplification
- gas chromatography
- label free
- tandem mass spectrometry
- ultra high performance liquid chromatography
- real time pcr
- escherichia coli
- high throughput
- heavy metals
- cardiovascular disease
- high performance liquid chromatography
- simultaneous determination
- high resolution
- solid phase extraction
- human health
- amino acid
- type diabetes
- endothelial cells
- sensitive detection
- risk assessment
- capillary electrophoresis
- climate change
- binding protein
- single cell
- pluripotent stem cells