Development of Ecom₅₀ and retention index models for nontargeted metabolomics: identification of 1,3-dicyclohexylurea in human serum by HPLC/mass spectrometry.

ABSTRACT: The goal of many metabolomic studies is to identify the molecular structure of endogenous molecules that are differentially expressed among sampled or treatment groups. The identified compounds can then be used to gain an understanding of disease mechanisms. Unfortunately, despite recent advances in a variety of analytical techniques, small molecule (<1000 Da) identification remains difficult. Rarely can a chemical structure be determined from experimental "features" such as retention time, exact mass, and collision induced dissociation spectra. Thus, without knowing structure, biological significance remains obscure. In this study, we explore an identification method in which the measured exact mass of an unknown is used to query available chemical databases to compile a list of candidate

SUBMITTER: Hall LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3376006 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature