Determination of picomolar levels of methylmercury complexes with low molecular mass thiols by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and online preconcentration.

ABSTRACT: Methylmercury (MeHg) is one of the most potent neurotoxins. It is produced in nature through the methylation of inorganic divalent mercury (Hg^II) by phylogenetically diverse anaerobic microbes. The mechanistic understanding of the processes that govern the extent of bacterial export of MeHg, its bioaccumulation, and bio-toxicity depends on accurate quantification of its species, especially its complexation with low molecular mass thiols; organometallic complexes that are difficult to detect and measure in natural conditions. Here, we report the development of a novel analytical method based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine 13 MeHg complexes with important thiol compounds which have been observed in the environment and in biological system

SUBMITTER: Liem-Nguyen V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7026298 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature