Differentiation of Isomeric Acylcarnitines Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ac00126a048

Tandem mass spectrometry, using a four-sector instrument, has been used to distinguish isomeric acylcarnitines.Collisional activation of MH⁺ ions (or of acylcarnitine methyl ester cations) induces fragmentations of the acyl moieties, yielding daughter ions with relative abundances characteristic of individual isomers.Direct analyses of crude urine samples from children with metabolic disorders enable unequivocal identification of individual acylcarnitines, thus contributing to the characterization of the disorder.