Detergent‐assisted sample preparation for MALDI‐MS: Investigation of octylglucoside and docecylmaltoside for matrix crystallization, on‐plate digestion, and trypsin activity

: We show an easy and fast method for improved detection of lipophilic peptides with MALDI-MS utilizing the nonionic detergents n-octylglucoside and n-dodecylmaltoside (laurylmaltoside). Investigations comprised on-plate digestion of proteins with trypsin, detergent effects on the protease trypsin, and the changes in MALDI matrix crystallization. Investigations also exhibited a higher tryptic activity in trypsin activity assay of 139% when using laurylmaltoside as supplement. Crystallization changed toward a more homogeneous crystal distribution and especially trypsinized insulin spectra recorded with MALDI-MS showed improved detectability of lipophilic peptides.