Targeted Metabolomics Organic Acid Detection
In life sciences and medical research, precisely analyzing the dynamic changes of small molecule metabolites within organisms is key to revealing physiological states, disease mechanisms, and drug responses. Targeted metabolomics, as a powerful tool for the precise quantification of specific metabolite classes, plays an increasingly vital role. Among these, organic acids are central intermediates in the metabolism of amino acids, fats, and sugars. Their homeostasis directly reflects the body's energy metabolism and health status. Precise analysis of these substances holds significant value for both scientific research and clinical translation.
What is Targeted Metabolomics Organic Acid Analysis?
Organic acids typically refer to acidic compounds containing a carboxyl group (-COOH), widely involved in chemical reactions and metabolic pathways within living organisms. They rarely exist in a free state, mostly forming salts or esters with metal ions. As critical nodes in core energy metabolism pathways like the Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) Cycle and glycolysis, changes in organic acid levels serve as sensitive indicators of cellular function, disease onset, and progression.
Creative Diagnostics utilizes a LC-MS/MS platform, specifically designed for the targeted quantitative analysis of organic acids in complex biological samples. This technology is renowned for its high sensitivity, high specificity, and high accuracy, aiming to overcome challenges such as ionization interference and poor chromatographic separation faced by traditional methods, providing clients with reliable data support.
Our Services
Our targeted metabolomics service provides an end-to-end solution from sample reception to data delivery, focusing on the precise quantification of organic acid metabolites.
1. Core Detection Capability: Based on the LC-MS/MS platform, we can perform accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis of up to 26 key targeted metabolites in the organic acid class. The detection panel covers core substances in energy metabolism, including:
- Key TCA Cycle Acids: Citrate, Isocitrate, α-Ketoglutarate, Succinate, Fumarate, Malate, Oxaloacetate, etc.
- Glycolysis-Related Acids: Pyruvate, Lactate, etc.
- Other Functional Organic Acids: Including certain short-chain fatty acids and dicarboxylic acids.
2. Comprehensive Analysis Workflow:
- Professional Sample Preparation: Optimized extraction and purification protocols for different biological matrices (e.g., cells, tissues, serum/plasma, urine, fecal contents). Techniques like liquid nitrogen freeze-thaw ensure efficient intracellular metabolite extraction, while solid-phase extraction helps remove complex matrix interferences, ensuring high recovery and stability of target compounds.
- Advanced MS Analysis: Employing the Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mode, a highly selective and sensitive mass spectrometric scanning method. Combined with isotopic internal standards or external calibration curves, absolute quantification of target organic acids is achieved, ensuring data accuracy and comparability.
- Stringent Quality Control: Rigorous internal and external quality control standards are implemented throughout the process, guaranteeing high reproducibility and reliability of results.
Service Advantages
| Advantage | Description |
| Technical Precision | The LC-MS/MS-based MRM targeted method provides absolute quantification results. Data is directly suitable for advanced analysis and publication, eliminating the need for secondary validation often required after untargeted screening. |
| High Sensitivity | The optimized method offers a very low limit of detection (LOD), reaching ng/mL or even lower levels, effectively detecting trace-level metabolic changes in biological samples. |
| High-Throughput Coverage | A single experiment simultaneously analyzes 26 target organic acids, comprehensively covering core energy metabolism pathways, far more efficient than single-analyte tests. |
| Broad Sample Compatibility | The method is applicable to various biological matrices, including cells, tissues, blood, urine, fecal contents, etc., meeting the needs of different research models. |
| End-to-End Support | We provide a complete service chain from experimental design consultation, sample preparation guidance, instrumental analysis, to basic data analysis. Our expert team offers pre-sales consultation and post-sales data interpretation support. |
Application
- Targeted organic acid metabolomics analysis has wide-ranging applications in numerous cutting-edge research fields:
- Disease Mechanism & Biomarker Discovery: By comparing organic acid profiles between disease and control groups, identify characteristic metabolic disturbances associated with specific diseases (e.g., cancer, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases) and screen for potential diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers.
- Drug Development & Toxicological Assessment: Evaluate changes in host energy metabolism pathways before and after drug intervention or exposure to toxic substances, elucidating mechanisms of drug action or toxic effects.
- Nutrition & Functional Food Research: Investigate the impact of dietary components, probiotics, or functional foods on host metabolism, particularly metabolites from gut microbiota (e.g., short-chain fatty acids).
- Fundamental Life Science Research: In fields like cell biology, plant physiology, and microbiology, study the response and regulation of core energy metabolism networks under conditions such as genetic modification or environmental stress.
- Exploratory Clinical Diagnostic Support: Provide high-precision metabolite analysis data for certain inborn errors of organic acid metabolism, supporting clinical diagnostic and treatment monitoring research.
