Removal of PEG Contaminants from Peptides Through an Off-Line Ion-Exchange Column

Victoria Miller¹, Venus Baghalabadi² , Jessica L. Nickerson² , Alan A. Doucette²

¹Proteoform Scientific*, Halifax, NS, Canada ²Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

Introduction

Consistent and reproducible sample preparation techniques are key to optimal mass spectrometric data acquisition. Contaminating substances such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) from plastic sources can obscure sample peaks in LC-MS analysis. The ability to perform sample clean up before loading the sample for analysis can ease bottlenecks and prevent column fouling. Here, we present a method for off-line ion-exchange clean up of samples using a modification of the ProTrap XG. The ProTrap XG is a two-stage filtration cartridge that facilitates
sample precipitation and detergent removal. The filtration cartridge offers up to 99.8% purity and 95% recovery through acetone precipitation. An optional solid-phase extraction cartridge further cleans up the sample.

*Proteoform Scientific is now Allumiqs.