Determination of microcystins and anatoxin-a using liquid chromato-mass-spectrometry of unit resolution

We proposed the method for microcystins and anatoxin-a detection using tandem mass spectrometry of unit resolution. The method involves a unique fragment approach. Diagnostic ions are suggested, and tandem spectra and fragmentation pattern of 9 most widespread microcystins and anatoxin-a obtained using LC/MS/MS under ion trap conditions were described. The approach used in this work is capable to carry out very reliable identification of known microcystins and to state the structural variants when standards are not available. Based on the fragment mass spectra and systematic literature data suggested a new classification of ion products microcystins, greatly facilitates the process of identifying them, and allows for a set of diagnostic fragments to determine the structure of different variants of MS without using standard compounds. The method of the determination of microcystins and anatoxin-a in the environmental samples and drinking water using tandem mass-spectrometry using the ion trap of unit resolution was described.