Simple Data-Reduction Method for High-Resolution LC–MS Data in Metabolomics

Abstract

Background: Metabolomics LC–MS experiments yield large numbers of peaks, few of which can be identified by database matching. Many of the remaining peaks correspond to derivatives of identified peaks (e.g., isotope peaks, adducts, fragments and multiply charged molecules). In this article, we present a data-reduction approach that automatically identifies these derivative peaks. Results: Using data-driven clustering based on chromatographic peak shape correlation and intensity patterns across biological replicates, derivative peaks can be reliably identified. Using a test data set obtained from Leishmania donovani extracts, we achieved a 60% reduction of the number of peaks. After quality control filtering, almost 80% of the peaks could putatively be identified by database matching. Conclusion: Automated peak filtering substantially speeds up the data-interpretation process.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by an NWO-Vidi grant to Rainer Breitling, the GeMInI initiative of the Institute of Tropical Medicine and financial support from the Baillet-Latour Foundation for Saskia Decuypere. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by an NWO-Vidi grant to Rainer Breitling, the GeMInI initiative of the Institute of Tropical Medicine and financial support from the Baillet-Latour Foundation for Saskia Decuypere. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.