Determination of phytochelatins in algal samples using LC-MS

摘要

The objective of this study was to develop a tool to assess the bioavailability of Cd in freshwaters. An analytical method was developed to measure the induction of phytochelatins (PC) by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using online HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. PC determinations were validated and detection limits were determined. It was shown that the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT) was necessary in order to maintain the PC in their reduced form. Sample purification was shown to be extremely important. The stability of PC was evaluated for several temperature storages (—20°C, 1°C and room temperature): PC degraded with time under all examined temperatures, including freezing.