Shimadzu Launches Version 2 of Its GC/MS Metabolite Database

Shimadzu has launched the GC/MS Metabolite Database Ver. 2, which supports metabolomic analysis (metabolomics) using a Shimadzu Triple Quadrupole Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS/MS) or Quadrupole Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS). It is based on joint research with the Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Kobe University School of Medicine, and Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), Kyoto University, and on results obtained from the NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) project "Fundamental Technology for Promoting Industrial Application of Human Stem Cells".

This database increases the number of registered compound types to 511. In addition, it now includes biological samples derived from blood and cells, in addition to urine. It is the first commercial product in the world that contains a metabolite MRM database to support GC/MS/MS. It contains the GC conditions suitable for the measurement of low-molecular metabolites and the optimal GC/MS and GC/MS/MS measurement parameters for each compound. This allows researchers to immediately start analysis work without the need for any complex parameter settings. The database also contains retention indices for the predictive calculation of retention times, allowing analysis to be started even when no metabolite standard samples are available. It supports metabolomics research for disease and drug evaluation and contributes to improvements in the productivity of biofuels and agricultural produce.

Background to the Product Development
Metabolite analysis uses exhaustive measurements of the metabolites in living organisms to comprehensively investigate the phenomena of life based on changes in metabolite components. It is employed in many fields for a variety of purposes, including searching for disease biomarkers to find disease causes for early detection of disease, improving the productivity of agricultural crops, biofuels research and development, and the evaluation of functional foods. Due to their exceptional chromatographic resolution and stable, highly sensitive measurements, GC/MS and GC/MS/MS are commonly used for metabolomic analysis, which demands the exhaustive analysis of many trace metabolites contained in biological samples.

This product was developed to support more accurate and efficient metabolomic analysis by GC/MS and GC/MS/MS. It supports work by pharmaceutical and food manufacturers and by university and research institutions undertaking research into disease and drug evaluation metabolomics in life sciences, research for biomass related to plants and foods, or food evaluation metabolomics.

Product Features
1. Contains Metabolite Components Detected in Biological Samples
A database for GC/MS and GC/MS/MS, it contains low-molecular metabolites detected in biological samples, such as organic acids, amino acids, fatty acids, and sugars. It permits the accurate identification of more metabolites in living organisms.

2. GC/MS/MS Database Permitting Trace Component Measurement
Organism and plant samples contain many metabolites and diverse matrices (contaminants). This product is the world's first metabolite database to support GC/MS/MS, reducing the effects of these matrices and achieving more sensitive and accurate measurement of the target components.