정은아 (숙명여자대학교)

강교빈 (숙명여자대학교)

정은아 (숙명여자대학교)

강교빈 (숙명여자대학교)

Native mass spectrometry (native MS) is an emerging analytical technique that enables direct observation of non-covalent interactions under near-physiological conditions. By utilizing electrospray ionization (ESI) for gentle ionization, native MS preserves the native structures of biomolecules and enables rapid, sensitive detection of non-covalent interactions.

In this study, we introduce the application of native MS combined with a liquid chromatography system (LC) for screening natural products. Since conventional LC conditions often involve organic solvents and acidic mobile phases that can denature biomolecules, our system incorporates an in-line buffer adjustment step that modulates pH and solvent composition prior to MS detection, thereby preserving the native state of target proteins and complexes during analysis. This platform enables direct detection of interactions between natural compounds and either target proteins or metal ions, providing a label-free and physiologically relevant method that also accommodates complex mixtures like crude extracts through simultaneous separation and interaction screening.