KCS

We developed an innovative wax-printed microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD) coated with paraffin has been as a highly efficient and low-cost microfluidic device resistant to common mass spectrometry organic solvents. The prepared novel µPAD-MS system has been introduced for the analysis of C₁₈-ceramide through complexation with metal ions. In contrast to simple paper spray system, the developed µPAD has allowed the analysis of low concentration of C₁₈-ceramide due to the maximum supply of deposited analyte through a microchannel. The MS results established the formation of doubly and singly charged metal ion complexes between ceramide and different metal ions. Especially, the complexation that occurs between lithium ions and C₁₈-ceramide showed a high relative abundance over other formed complexes. The established µPAD has shown its prospective in the analysis of hydrophobic biomolecules dissolved in organic solvents and at the same time to avoid their penetration through the developed barriers. The developed µPAD-MS technique provides clear advantages over the other methods by reducing the number of experimental steps and simplifying the operation process for the identification of C₁₈-ceramide.