Naturally occurring Chrysophanol as MALDI matrix for the analysis of a broad spectrum of analytes.

Chrysophanol (CP), 1, 8-Dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone, is a naturally occurring anthraquinone and is the major bioactive compound of numerous herb species.The CP has been successfully used for its therapeutic properties in many medical scenarios. In the search for new and more efficient MALDI matrices we have examined CP, as it is structurally similar to Dithranol (established matrix), for matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization of various classes of analytes.Chrysophanol was isolated from Rheum emodi plant bark. Matrices, Chrysophanol and Dithranol (DT), solutions of 5 mg/mL concentration were prepared in chloroform. Layered and dried droplet spotting methods were opted for the MALDI-MS analysis.Lipids, vegetable oils, organometallics, iridoids, peptides polystyrenes and polyethylene glycols (PEGs) were successfully analysed using CP as matrix. Depending on the nature of the analytes the CP is working either charge or proton transfer matrix. In the case of synthetic polymers analysis using CP matrix the analytes are undergoing cationization. We found that the CP showed similar results as that of DT.Naturally occurring chrysophanol (CP) can be used as an effective new alternative MALDI matrix for a broad range of analytes ranging from small molecules (Lipids, Organometallics, Iridoids, vegetable oil, peptides etc.) to synthetic polymers viz., PEGs and polystyrenes.