Publications by authors named "Abigail Moreno-Pedraza"

This covers discovery and mechanistic aspects as well as initial applications of novel ionization processes for use in mass spectrometry that guided us in a series of subsequent discoveries, instrument developments, and commercialization. matrix-assisted ionization on an intermediate pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization source the use of a laser, high voltages, or any other added energy was simply unbelievable, at first. Individually and as a whole, the various discoveries and inventions started to paint, , an exciting new picture and outlook in mass spectrometry from which key developments grew that were at the time unimaginable, and continue to surprise us in its simplistic preeminence.

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The presence and localization of plant metabolites are indicative of physiological processes, e.g., under biotic and abiotic stress conditions.

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Article Synopsis
  • The paper discusses a new approach to ionization in mass spectrometry (MS) that doesn’t rely on high-energy inputs like voltage or lasers but instead uses sublimation and evaporation processes in a controlled pressure environment.
  • It explores how these innovative ionization methods enable the efficient conversion of both volatile and non-volatile compounds from solids and liquids into gas-phase ions, leading to more accurate and reproducible results in MS analysis.
  • The research highlights the potential coexistence of traditional and novel ionization techniques in the same mass spectrometer, with a focus on applications such as clinical testing and portable MS technologies, showcasing advancements in the field from 2010 to 2023.
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Julia combines the virtues of high-level and low-level programming languages: The code is human-readable, and the performance of the created binaries competes with machine-orientated compilers. Thus, Julia is popular in "Big Data" sciences. Reading mass spectrometry (MS) data with Julia was impossible until now due to missing libraries.

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The localization of metabolites in plant tissues is often related to their biological function and biosynthesis. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) provides comprehensive information about the distribution of known and unknown compounds in tissues. In this protocol, we describe the use of laser desorption low-temperature plasma (LD-LTP) ionization MSI.

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Ambient ionisation mass spectrometry (AIMS) enables studying biological systems in their native state and direct high-throughput analyses. The ionisation occurs in the physical conditions of the surrounding environment. Simple spray or plasma-based AIMS devices allow the desorption and ionisation of molecules from solid, liquid and gaseous samples.

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Sublimation has been known at least since the middle ages. This process is frequently taught in schools through the use of phase diagrams. Astonishingly, such a well-known process appears to still harbor secrets.

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Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a classic method for the separation and analysis of complex mixtures. Biological assays, chemical derivatisation and spectroscopy techniques are compatible with TLC and provide extra information about isolated compounds. However, coupling TLC to mass spectrometry is hampered by the difficulty to desorb the analytes from the silica surfaces.

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Background: different Solanaceae and Erythroxylaceae species produce tropane alkaloids. These alkaloids are the starting material in the production of different pharmaceuticals. The commercial demand for tropane alkaloids is covered by extracting them from cultivated plants.

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Secondary metabolites of plants have important biological functions, which often depend on their localization in tissues. Ideally, a fresh untreated material should be directly analyzed to obtain a realistic view of the true sample chemistry. Therefore, there is a large interest for ambient mass-spectrometry-based imaging (MSI) methods.

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The response to injury represents an important strategy for animals and plants to survive mechanical damage and predation. Plants respond to injury by activating a defense response that includes the production of an important variety of compounds that help them withstand predator attack and recover from mechanical injury (MI). Similarly, the filamentous fungus responds to MI by strongly modifying its transcriptional profile and producing asexual reproduction structures (conidia).

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Low-temperature plasma (LTP) ionization represents an emerging technology in ambient mass spectrometry. LTP enables the solvent-free direct detection of a broad range of molecules and mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). The low energy consumption and modest technical requirements of these ion sources favors their employment in mobile applications and as a means to upgrade existing mass analyzers.

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Objective: To determine the effect of pH, and exposure time over the inactivation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) during the tortilla making process as well as the degradative molecules generated.

Materials And Methods: Inactivation of AFB1 in maize-dough with alkaline pH and in alkaline methanolic solutions was determined by HPLC. Kinetics of time exposure of AFB1 in methanolic solution and the degradative products were analyzed by direct injection electrospray mass spectometry (DIESI-MS).

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