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OAD-TOF system, the World’s First Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer system Equipped with Ion Dissociation Technology

On December 21, Shimadzu Corporation is releasing the OAD-TOF system. This quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer is the first in the world to provide detailed structural analyses of lipids and other natural compounds. Oxygen attachment dissociation (OAD), an ion dissociation technology developed by Shimadzu, enables estimation of the position of double bonds between carbon atoms, a conventionally difficult task. OAD was developed at the Koichi Tanaka Mass Spectrometry Research Laboratory, of which our Executive Research Fellow Koichi Tanaka is the General Manager.

In evaluating and searching for compounds, the position where carbon atoms are strongly joined together (the double bonds between carbon atoms) is an important factor in determining the characteristics of a compound. For example, lipids exist in a number of forms, such as omega-3, which is believed to reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis. The function of lipids differs depending on the presence of double bonds between carbon atoms and their positions. Research and development in the fields of pharmaceuticals and food products require the elucidation of structures including the position of bonds between carbon atoms, which has been difficult to determine with conventional methods.

In OAD, atomic oxygen^* is made to react with the ionized sample, and the double bonds between carbon atoms are selectively broken (dissociated). Information on the position of the double bonds between carbon atoms is then obtained from the ion fragments generated by the dissociation. A quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Q-TOF MS) measures the size and amount of samples separated at the atomic and molecular levels, thereby obtaining precise information on compounds. In combination, these techniques elucidate the structure of all types of compounds including lipids and other biological compounds. Shimadzu will continue to provide such products, thereby contributing to the subsequent development of research in the health care and life science fields.

• *This is an oxygen radical. It is electrically neutral in character. It attaches to sample molecules and selectively dissociates the double bond positions.

Features

1. OAD RADICAL SOURCE I, the World’s First Technology to Provide Innovative Structural Analysis

OAD RADICAL SOURCE I, an optionally available kit that provides OAD technology, quickly and conveniently estimates the structure of compounds by selectively oxidizing and dissociating the double bonds between carbon atoms. It supports measurements of a variety of samples ranging from pharmaceuticals and foods to environmental water samples and biological samples without the need for complicated pretreatment. Detailed structural information can be obtained by combining this with the LCMS-9050, which has world-leading mass accuracy.

OAD RADICAL SOURCE I, an Optionally Available Kit that Provides OAD Technology

2. Switching Quickly and Easily between Two Ion Dissociation Methods

With the OAD-TOF system, the software can switch easily between OAD and collision-induced dissociation, the conventional ion dissociation method. The two ion dissociation methods can be applied separately to suit the sample and the objective. Acquiring a great deal of structural information leads to new discoveries in the structural analysis of compounds such as lipids and other biological compounds.

3. Accommodating a Variety of Needs through a Wealth of Combinable Options

Attaching the DPiMS QT probe electrospray ionization kit enables even trace samples to be measured quickly and easily. This product can also accommodate the dissociation and comprehensive analysis of lipids, many of which have similar structures, by connecting it with the Nexera UC supercritical fluid chromatograph. Customers who already own an LCMS-9050 can change models to the OAD-TOF system by adding the OAD RADICAL SOURCE I.

Photo at Left: System with the DPiMS Probe Electrospray Ionization Kit Connected
Photo at Right: System with the Nexera UC Supercritical Fluid Chromatograph Connected

 

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OAD-TOF system