Building an UHPLC MSMS library for untargeted metabolomics using an Agilent 1290-6550 LC-QTOF instrument

Description of the library

619 compounds were purchased from IROA technologies . These compounds were injected into UHPLC-QTOF instrument and whoever ionized and yielded a good MSMS spectra were included in the MSMS library.

Experimental details

Compounds were in dried state in 96-well plates. After dissoliving them in Water:MeOH(50:50), they were pooled by rows into glass vials and each vial contained 8 compounds. Injection volume was 2 micorLiter.

UPLC-QTOF conditions

An Agilent 1290 UHPLC and 6550 quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Agilent Inc, Santa Clara, USA) were used for the acquisition of raw data. Instrument was tuned and calibrated for small molecule analysis, as per instructions provided by the manufacturer. The mass spectrometer was operated in ESI (Positive and negative) and MS1 and targeted ion MS/MS modes separately. Scan speed was 2 scans per seconds in both MS1 and MS/MS modes. Collision induced dissociation was performed at 10,20,40 eV energy. Active exclusion of precursor was enabled. Data were acquired in centroid mode only. Mass range was 50-1200. Source parameters were : Gas Temperature - 175 degree celcius, Gas Flow- 12 l/min, Nebulizer – 45 psig, Sheath Gas Temperature – 350 degree celsius, Sheath Gas flow – 12 l/min, VCap – 3500, Nozzle voltage – 300, Fragmenter – 175. Mz 121.0508 and 922.0097 was used as reference ions to calibrate the mass axis. The reference ion solution was delivered using an ancillary HPLC pump with a flow rate of 0.010 mL/min. For the main gradient, solvent A was water (0.1% formic acid) and solvent B was methanol (0.1% formic acid). Flow rate was 0.4 ml/min. The gradient started at 5% B, reaching to 100% B at 6.0 min, then stay at 100% B until 10.50, then drops to 5% B at 10.51 and stay at the same until 12.50. Column temperature was 45 degree celsius. An UHPLC reversed phase column (Waters Acquity HSS T3 1.8 microM, 2.1X100 mm, part number 186003539) was used for separating compounds. Data acquisition for entire library was done in a single batch lasted for three days.

Data processing

"Find compound by Targeted MSMS algorithm" in the Agilent Mass Hunter version 6.0 was used to extract MSMS spectra for the compounds. Batch processing was achieved by Agilent DA reprocessor software. Exported CEF files were imported into Agilent PCDL manager software for creation of the library. Proton, Water, Sodium and Potassium adducts (whenever present) were included in the library. Compounds eluting in first one minute were excluded from the final database, due to their poor retention on the RP column. 

How to use the library

To use the library, untargeted metabolomics datasets should be acquired in Auto MSMS mode with the same chromatographic method. The method is provided in the Google Drive folder. Processed the data with find compounds by Auto MSMS algorithm in Mass hunter software. After that, use identify compound with accurate mass library algorithm for annotation and use the download library (.cdb format) as input. In a typical blood sample, extracted with a classical blood:methanol (1:5) protocol, around 70-80 compounds can be routinely monitored with this library. Then, export the CEF files and merge them in MPP to export a data table.


List of compounds in ESI positive mode .

Compound Name Formula Mass RT (min) Num Spectra
10-HYDROXYDECANOATE C10H20O3 188.1416 5.144 5
1-2-DIDECANOYL-SN-GLYCERO-3-PHOSPHOCHOLINE C28H56NO8P 565.3748 7.105 3
1-2-DIPALMITOYL-SN-GLYCEROL C35H68O5 568.5086 10.269 6
12-HYDROXYDODECANOIC ACID C12H24O3 216.1733 5.824 9
17A-21-DIHYDROXY-4-PREGNENE-3-20-DIONE C21H30O4 346.2154 5.551 9
1-NAPHTHYLAMINE C10H9N 143.0742 3.955 3
2'-4'-DIHYDROXYACETOPHENONE C8H8O3 152.047 1.81 3
2-4-DIHYDROXYPTERIDINE C6H4N4O2 164.0331 1.532 6
2-4-DIHYDROXYPYRIMIDINE-5-CARBOXYLIC ACID C5H4N2O4 156.017 1.191 6
25-HYDROXYCHOLESTEROL C27H46O2 402.3502 7.299 3
2'-DEOXYADENOSINE C10H15N5O4 269.1122 1.674 3
2'-DEOXYGUANOSINE C10H15N5O5 285.1072 1.766 3
2-HYDROXYPHENYLACETIC ACID C8H8O3 152.0476 3.458 6
2-HYDROXYPYRIDINE C5H5NO 95.037 1.639 3
2-METHYLMALEATE C5H6O4 130.0266 2.097 3
2-OXOADIPATE C6H8O5 160.0361 1.332 3
2-QUINOLINECARBOXYLIC ACID C10H7NO2 173.0477 3.152 9
3(2-HYDROXYPHENYL)PROPANOATE C9H10O3 166.0624 4.036 3
3(4-HYDROXYPHENYL)LACTATE C9H10O4 182.0577 2.714 6
3'-5'-CYCLIC AMP C10H12N5O6P 329.0523 1.785 6
3-5-DIIODO-L-THYRONINE C15H13I2NO4 524.8935 4.584 3
3ALPHA-11BETA-17ALPHA-21-TRETRAHYDROXY-5ALPHA-PREGNAN-20-ONE C21H34O5 366.2415 5.033 6
3-HYDROXY-3-METHYLGLUTARATE C6H10O5 162.0524 1.574 6
3-HYDROXYANTHRANILATE C7H7NO3 153.0426 2.495 6
3-HYDROXYKYNURENINE C10H12N2O4 224.0794 1.105 3
3-HYDROXYPHENYLACETATE C8H8O3 152.0473 3.286 3
3-METHOXY-4-HYDROXYMANDELATE C9H10O5 198.0522 1.81 6
3-METHOXYTYRAMINE C9H13NO2 167.0946 3.091 3
3-METHYL-2-OXINDOLE C9H9NO 147.0683 4.38 6
3-METHYLGLUTARIC ACID C6H10O4 146.0577 2.692 3
4-ACETAMIDOBUTANOATE C6H11NO3 145.0736 1.648 9
4-AMINOBENZOATE C7H7NO2 137.0478 2.306 5
4-COUMARATE C9H8O3 164.0479 3.808 6
4-HYDROXYPHENYLACETATE C8H8O3 152.047 2.946 3
4-PYRIDOXATE C8H9NO4 183.0529 1.741 9
5'-DEOXYADENOSINE C10H13N5O3 251.1016 2.064 6
5-HYDROXYINDOLEACETATE C10H9NO3 191.0577 2.816 6
5-HYDROXY-L-TRYPTOPHAN C11H12N2O3 220.0846 1.666 6
5'-METHYLTHIOADENOSINE C11H15N5O3S 297.0896 2.742 6
5-OXO-D-PROLINE C5H7NO3 129.0423 1.111 6
5-VALEROLACTONE C5H8O2 100.0526 1.951 3
6-HYDROXYNICOTINATE C6H5NO3 139.0273 1.735 3
ADENOSINE C10H13N5O4 267.0964 1.624 3
ADIPIC ACID C6H10O4 146.0578 2.626 3
ANILINE-2-SULFONIC ACID C6H7NO3S 173.0144 1.623 3
ANTHRANILATE C7H7NO2 137.0478 2.306 5
BENZALDEHYDE C7H6O 106.0421 10.141 3
BIOTIN C10H16N2O3S 244.0888 3.537 6
BUTANAL C4H8O 72.0577 3.469 3
CAFFEIC ACID C9H8O4 180.0414 3.24 3
CAFFEINE C8H10N4O2 194.0804 3.204 6
CHENODEOXYCHOLATE C24H40O4 392.2933 6.775 3
CHOLIC ACID C24H40O5 408.2881 6.464 6
CORTICOSTERONE C21H30O4 346.216 5.53 6
CORTISOL C21H30O5 362.21 5.17 9
CORTISOL 21-ACETATE C23H32O6 404.2206 5.553 9
CORTISONE C21H28O5 360.1951 5.011 3
DEOXYADENOSINE MONOPHOSPHATE C10H14N5O6P 331.0679 1.134 3
DEOXYCHOLIC ACID C24H40O4 392.2933 6.775 3
DEOXYCORTICOSTERONE C23H32O4 372.2309 6.223 6
DEOXYURIDINE C9H12N2O5 228.0744 1.536 6
DESMOSTEROL C27H44O 384.3391 7.299 3
DETHIOBIOTIN C10H18N2O3 214.1321 3.834 9
DIACETYL C4H6O2 86.0373 5.206 3
D-PANTOTHENIC ACID C9H17NO5 219.1107 2.354 6
DTMP C10H15N2O8P 322.0561 1.594 6
ESTRADIOL-17ALPHA C18H24O2 272.1778 5.825 3
ETHYLMALONIC ACID C5H8O4 132.0415 2.39 6
FERULATE C10H10O4 194.0582 3.877 3
FOLIC ACID C19H19N7O6 441.1393 2.983 3
FORMYL-L-METHIONYL C6H11NO3S 177.046 2.539 6
GLUTARATE C5H8O4 132.0414 1.91 3
GLYCOCHOLATE C26H43NO6 465.3092 6.162 9
GUANOSINE C10H13N5O5 283.0913 1.634 6
GUANOSINE 3'-5'-CYCLIC C10H11N5NaO7P 367.0283 1.866 3
HIPPURATE C9H9NO3 179.0584 3.091 6
HOMOGENTISATE C8H8O4 168.0423 2.016 6
HOMOVANILLATE C9H10O4 182.0579 3.323 6
HYPOXANTHINE C5H4N4O 136.0381 1.065 9
INDOLE-3-ACETALDEHYDE C10H9NO 159.0684 4.413 6
INDOLE-3-ACETAMIDE C10H10N2O 174.0795 3.369 9
INDOLE-3-ACETATE C10H9NO2 175.0636 4.145 6
INDOLE-3-ETHANOL C10H11NO 161.0843 4.151 6
INDOLE-3-PYRUVIC ACID C11H9NO3 203.0563 3.068 3
INOSINE C10H12N4O5 268.0804 1.63 6
INOSINE 5'-PHOSPHATE C10H13N4O8P 348.0466 1.414 3
ISOLEUCINE C6H13NO2 131.0944 1.346 6
ITACONATE C5H6O4 130.0266 2.097 3
KYNURENIC ACID C10H7NO3 189.0427 3.124 6
KYNURENINE C10H12N2O3 208.0846 1.841 6
LEUCINE C6H13NO2 131.0944 1.443 6
LIPOAMIDE C8H15NOS2 205.06 4.558 6
L-METHYLADENOSINE C11H15N5O4 281.1121 2.247 3
L-OLEOYL-RAC-GLYCEROL C21H40O4 356.2929 7.249 3
LUMICHROME C12H10N4O2 242.0812 4.602 3
MALEIC ACID C4H4O4 116.0103 1.204 6
MANDELIC ACID C8H8O3 152.047 2.946 3
MELATONIN C13H16N2O2 232.1215 4.038 9
METHYL VANILLATE C9H10O4 182.0575 2.739 3
METHYLMALONATE C4H6O4 118.0259 1.551 3
MEVALOLACTONE C6H10O3 130.0627 1.679 6
MONO-ETHYL MALONATE C5H8O4 132.0401 2.651 3
MONO-METHYL GLUTARATE C6H10O4 146.0578 2.767 3
N-ACETYL-DL-GLUTAMIC ACID C7H11NO5 189.0634 1.227 6
N-ACETYL-DL-METHIONINE C7H13NO3S 191.0615 2.79 3
N-ACETYL-D-TRYPTOPHAN C13H14N2O3 246.1004 3.897 6
N-ACETYL-L-ALANINE C5H9NO3 131.0579 1.424 8
N-ACETYL-L-CYSTEINE C5H9NO3S 163.0299 1.725 0
N-ACETYL-L-LEUCINE C8H15NO3 173.1055 3.78 9
N-ACETYL-L-PHENYLALANINE C11H13NO3 207.0899 3.911 6
N-ACETYLSEROTONIN C12H14N2O2 218.1058 2.919 9
NAD C21H27N7O14P2 663.109 1.232 3
NICOTINAMIDE C6H6N2O 122.0479 1.129 3
NITRO-L-TYROSINE C9H10N2O5 226.059 2.204 3
NORLEUCINE C6H13NO2 131.0945 1.502 6
OPHTHALMIC ACID C11H19N3O6 289.127 1.046 6
PARAXANTHINE C7H8N4O2 180.0647 2.706 6
PHENETHYLAMINE C8H11N 121.0894 2.067 3
PHENYLALANINE C9H11NO2 165.0788 2.05 5
PHENYLETHANOLAMINE C8H11NO 137.0842 1.48 3
PIMELIC ACID C7H12O4 160.0736 3.342 6
PRENOL C5H10O 86.0736 6.999 3
PTERINE C6H5N5O 163.0489 1.466 3
PYRIDINE-2-3-DICARBOXYLATE C7H5NO4 167.0214 1.304 3
PYRIDOXAL 5'-PHOSPHATE C8H12NO7P 265.0345 1.515 3
RAC-GLYCEROL-L-MYRISTATE C17H34O4 302.246 6.944 3
RIBOFLAVIN C17H20N4O6 376.1386 3.516 6
S-(5'-ADENOSYL)-L-HOMOCYSTEINE C14H20N6O5S 384.1212 1.236 3
SALICYLAMIDE C7H7NO2 137.0479 3.425 3
S-HEXYL-GLUTATHIONE C16H29N3O6S 391.1783 4.787 6
SN-GLYCEROL 3-PHOSPHATE BIS (CYCLOHEXYLAMMONIUM) C15H35N2O6P 370.2204 3.442 3
SPHINGANINE C18H39NO2 301.2984 6.15 3
SUBERIC ACID C8H14O4 174.0891 2.626 3
THEOBROMINE C7H8N4O2 180.0646 2.377 6
THEOPHYLLINE C7H8N4O2 180.0647 2.815 6
THIOPURINE S-METHYLESTER C6H6N4S 166.0317 3.369 6
THYMIDINE C10H14N2O5 242.0904 2.082 6
THYMINE C5H6N2O2 126.0427 1.596 3
THYROXINE C15H11I4NO4 776.6876 5.51 6
TRIIODOTHYRONINE C15H12I3NO4 650.7907 5.144 3
TRYPTAMINE C10H12N2 160.1005 2.428 6
TRYPTOPHAN C11H12N2O2 204.0899 2.511 6
TYRAMINE C8H11NO 137.0843 1.046 3
TYROSINE C9H11NO3 181.0734 1.174 3
URATE C5H4N4O3 168.0282 1.069 3
URIDINE C9H12N2O6 244.0691 1.23 6
VITAMIN D2 C28H44O 396.3392 8.38 3
Xanthine C5H4N4O2 152.0334 1.22 0
XANTHOSINE C10H12N4O6 284.0755 1.891 6
XANTHURENIC ACID C10H7NO4 205.0384 4.286 3

Request access to the library (You would have access to the library after it's formal publication.)

The data for developing the library were acquired at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Lyon France.

Have fun!

Send an email to Dinesh Barupal at barupal@gmail.com for any questions and comments.