Extraction and analysis of zwitterionic metabolites from microalgae and bacteria
Zwitterionic metabolites from marine phytoplankton and bacteria play essential physiological roles in these organisms. Especially dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and the newly discovered dimethylsulfoxoniumpropionate (DMSOP) are also central in the marine sulfur cycle. This protocol describes the extraction, sample preparation, and quantification of DMSOP. Chromatographic separation is based on hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and detection is done by mass spectrometry on standard LC/MS instruments. The protocol also covers the quantification of DMSP, dimethylsulfonioacetate (DMSA), gonyol, and the nitrogen-containing zwitterion glycine betaine. We introduce methods for the investigation of phytoplankton cultures, phytoplankton field samples, and bacteria cultures. Established methods for the estimation of DMSP are is based on the quantification of dimethylsulfide that is released during base treatment of DMSP. Our protocol now allows distinguishing between different DMS releasing zwitterions and to cover also other metabolites of this class that are not liberating DMS upon base treatment. It works universally with microalgae and bacteria and can easily be adapted to macroalgae. With standard culture samples following the protocol requires less than two hours.
Figure 1
Posted 16 Nov, 2018
Extraction and analysis of zwitterionic metabolites from microalgae and bacteria
Posted 16 Nov, 2018
Zwitterionic metabolites from marine phytoplankton and bacteria play essential physiological roles in these organisms. Especially dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and the newly discovered dimethylsulfoxoniumpropionate (DMSOP) are also central in the marine sulfur cycle. This protocol describes the extraction, sample preparation, and quantification of DMSOP. Chromatographic separation is based on hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and detection is done by mass spectrometry on standard LC/MS instruments. The protocol also covers the quantification of DMSP, dimethylsulfonioacetate (DMSA), gonyol, and the nitrogen-containing zwitterion glycine betaine. We introduce methods for the investigation of phytoplankton cultures, phytoplankton field samples, and bacteria cultures. Established methods for the estimation of DMSP are is based on the quantification of dimethylsulfide that is released during base treatment of DMSP. Our protocol now allows distinguishing between different DMS releasing zwitterions and to cover also other metabolites of this class that are not liberating DMS upon base treatment. It works universally with microalgae and bacteria and can easily be adapted to macroalgae. With standard culture samples following the protocol requires less than two hours.
Figure 1
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