Development of a Simple System for the Analysis of Water-Containing Biological Samples by TOF-SIMS

Abstract

In recent years, the needs of mass spectrometry for biological samples have rapidly increased. In this study, in order to analyze water-containing biological samples using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), a rapid-cooling method, sectioning system, and a sample introduction method that could avoid frost formation in plant biological samples were developed. It was confirmed that both frost formation and evaporation of volatile compounds were prevented by a rapid-cooling and new introduction method. Essential elements and H2O could be detected by this new rapid-cooling TOF-SIMS methodology. Therefore, SIMS analysis in the natural state became possible.

Analysis the water in aggregate glue droplets of spider orb web by TOF‐SIMS

“…The mass spectra of Figure 1 are shown in Figure S3. In TOF‐SIMS analysis, ice is typically detected in the forms of H 2 O + ( m/z = 18) and H 3 O + ( m/z = 19), with the H 3 O + ( m/z = 19) signal more prominent than the H 2 O + ( m/z = 18) signal 24 . Usually, the signals of both H 2 O + ( m/z = 18) and H 3 O + ( m/z = 19) are very weak, and it is very difficult to detect signals of water clusters.…”

“…In the case of flash freezing, see references 17,24 for a detailed description. In the case of slow freezing, we screwed the cap onto the sample holder and then placed it in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator (FUJITSU, ER‐27SV) where the temperature was −22°C.…”

“…In the case of flash freezing, see references 17,24 for a detailed description. In the case of slow freezing, we screwed the cap onto the sample Figure S2 and Video S1).…”

Inorganic Component Imaging of Aggregate Glue Droplets on Spider Orb Webs by TOF–SIMS

“…Here the flash and slow freezing method were applied. In TOF-SIMS analysis, water clusters are generally detected by the peaks of H2O + (m/z 18) and H3O + (m/z 19) [76][77][78][79][80][81][82]. In the case of binary salts, the signals of K + (m/z 39) and K(KCl) + (m/z 113) are very intense [83].…”