Direct bioautography hyphenated to direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry: Chromatographic separation, bioassay and mass spectra, all in the same sample run

Abstract Mass spectra were recorded directly in situ the bioautogram, i.e. , in the presence of microorganisms, bioassay medium and substrate reagent. The desorption-based direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) was applied immediately after direct bioautography (DB). It turned out to be an advantageous combination, as it offered the possibility of a straightforward mass spectrometric detection of bioactive analytes within the bioautogram, and at the same time, it was discriminating microorganism cells and highly polar bioassay medium ingredients which could otherwise stress the MS system. DB-DART-MS was investigated for bioactive compounds in cosmetics using the Bacillus subtilis and Aliivibrio fischeri bioassays for detection of Gram-positive and Gram-negative antimicrobials, respectively, and the planar yeast estrogen screen for detection of estrogen-effective compounds. The influences of the three different bioassay matrices on the analyte response and DB-DART-MS performance on different layers were studied on the example of parabens in hand creams. It was shown that with increasing culture medium complexity, the ion suppression increased. As proof-of-principle, the mass spectrometric quantification at the nanogram level in situ the bioautogram was verified by comparison to HPTLC-DART-MS. The total paraben contents of hand creams 1 and 2 were 0.17–0.20% and 0.30–0.34%, respectively, depending on the method used (DB-DART-MS with two different bioassays or HPTLC-DART-MS as well as on RP W or NP plate). In contrast to the current practice of applying the sample twice and subjecting one track to the bioassay and another to MS, the introduced hyphenation DB-DART-MS is straightforward and highly efficient.