Untargeted Metabolomics by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in Biomedical Research

Methods Mol Biol. 2023:2571:57-69. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2699-3_6.

Abstract

Metabolomics, alone or in combination with other omics sciences, has shown great relevance in a large number of investigations in different branches of biomedicine, often providing novel discoveries and helping to expand the knowledge. Metabolomics analyses are carried out using different techniques, but in this chapter, we focus on liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. The designated methodology consists of an untargeted approach for the analysis of plasma samples. The use of this method, with a reverse-phase column and electrospray ionization in positive mode, covers the detection of a broad range of metabolites, mainly of nonpolar and of intermediate polarity. This chapter also reviews the mass fragmentation spectra for the identification of bile acids, acylcarnitines, and glycerophospholipids.

Keywords: Acylcarnitines; Bile acids; Glycerophospolipids; Lipids; Mass spectrometry; Plasma; Reverse phase; Untargeted metabolomics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Biomedical Research*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods
  • Glycerophospholipids
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Metabolomics* / methods

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Glycerophospholipids