352 JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY, JUNE 1987, VOL. 2 Book Reviews Mass Spectrometry in the Analysis of Large Molecules. Edited by C . J. McNeal. Pp. x + 221. John Wiley. 1986. Price &24. ISBN 0 471 91262 X. This book contains the proceedings of the third Texas A & M Symposium on Mass Spectrometry, which had the theme “Suc- cess and failure at mlz 10000 and beyond. ” The format of the book is excellent with a series of review papers presented by leading researchers in the field, rather than shorter reports on specific topics such as the recently published volume “Ion Formation from Organic Solids 111,” (Springer Proc. Phys. Vol. 9, Springer Verlag, 1986). Both books cover much of the same ground but the reviewing style of the McNeal book makes it a more general introduction to high field mass spec- trometry for the average spectroscopist. Although the conference had as its theme mlz 10000 and beyond in fact the majority of the authors worked with molecules smaller than this.This does not detract from the value of the book as most of the contributors concentrating on the analysis of peptides (7 out of 13 papers) presented strategies involving a combina- tion of enzymatic and chemical degrada- tion of small proteins (>lo 000 u) fol- lowed by mass spectrometric analysis of the fragments (2000-5000 u). Three authors specifically addressed the mechanisms and kinetics of ionisation of these large molecules; and it is appar- ent that an increasing understanding of the manner in which ions are formed by heavy particle bombardment is gradually coming about.However there is as yet little evidence that these theoretical con- siderations have been used to improve the efficiency of ionisation of real samples. The most exciting possibility for the next conference would appear to be a use of the better theoretical understanding to improve the oyer-all sensitivity of the ionisation methods. This book was compared with two earlier publications covering similar ground, namely “Soft Ionisation Biolog- ical Mass Spectrometry,” edited by H. R. Morris, Heyden 1981 and “Mass Spec- trometry of Large molecule^,'^ edited by S. Facchetti, Elsevier 1985. The pace of progress has been high and perhaps the most obvious changes are the accepted routine analyses at 3000-4000 u and the increasing use of MS-MS techniques for structural analysis.However the lack of published data on the analysis of medium weight peptides (10 000-15 000 u) and small proteins (40 000-100 000 u) coupled with the extensive use of enzymatic tech- niques highlights the fact that the analysis of these molecules as intact moieties creates many problems which will need solving before the spectra of these com-JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY, JUNE 1987, VOL. 2 353 pounds becomes more than just a serendi- pitous occurrence. As Frank Field said in the book under review “one can only speculate whether such monstrous gaseous ions can be produced . . . but the remarkable discovery of massive particle bombardment mass spectrometry . . . leads me to the opinion that anything may be possible.” Possible maybe, but it remains doubtful whether there is an analytical requirement to go much beyond 5000 u.Personally I found this a useful and interesting book, and I would recommend it as a good review of the current state of the art. N. J. Haskins Smith, Kline and French, Welwyn, UK Mass Spectrometry in Biomedical Research. Edited by Simon J. Gaskell. Pp. xvi + 492. John Wiley. 1986. Price S38.50. ISBN 0 471 91045 7. The appearance of a book of this nature is both appropriate and timely, given the major developments which have occurred in the mass spectrometry in recent years. The book consists of 26 chapters which are classified into three parts: Part I, Analyses of labile and polar compounds; Part 11, Analyses at high mass; and Part 111, Trace analyses.Each part is prefaced with “Overview” chapters by the Editor. These chapters provide background material to the specialist work of the invited contributors. They serve to add the essential continuity, which is often lacking in multi-author works of this sort. It is in the biomedical field that the developments which have taken place in mass spectrometry have made perhaps their strongest impact. Particularly signif- icant have been the advances in ionisation techniques, such that it is now possible to analyse previously intractable, involatile molecules. This area is well covered with contributions on sample preparation for FAB and FD (C. E. Costello), analysis of biochemical reactions in aqueous solution (R. M. Caprioli), analysis of bile salts (J.0. Whitney), characterisation of nucleic acid constituents (J. A. McClos- key), new methods for the analysis of acylcarnitines and acyl-coenzyme A com- pounds (D. S. Millington), screening for polar drug metabolites using FAB MS- MS (K. M. Straub), high-mass FAB studies of peptides , oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates (A. Dell and M. Panico), structure elucidation of complex carbohy- drates (V. Reinhold), FAB MS of oligo- nucleotides (L. Grotjahn), high-mass capabilities of sector mass spectrometers (B. N. Green and R. S. Bordoli), CID of peptide ions (M. M. Sheil and P. J. Derrick), plasma desorption MS of high molecular weight biomolecules (P. Roep- stoff and B. Sundqvist), MS analysis of biological oligomers (I. Jardine), high- mass FT-MS (D. H. Russell and M.E. Castro) and MS measurement of neuro- peptides (D. M. Desiderio and G. H. Fridland). Although generally thought of as a “mature” technique, GC-MS is indispen- sible in areas of biochemical trace analy- sis. Recent advances which have greatly improved the quality (selectivity and sen- sitivity) of trace analyses are exemplified in chapters on high sensitivity determina- tions of steroids in physiological fluids and tissues (S. J. Gaskell, V. J. Gould and H. M. Leith), trace analysis of cannabi- noids (D. J. Harvey), analysis of drugs in biological matrices (W. A. Garland and M. P. Barbalas) and neurotransmitters and related compounds (K. F. Faull and 0. Beck) using electron capture negative chemical ionisation GC-MS, and micro- determination of prostaglandins and thromboxane B2 by GC-high resolution selected ion monitoring MS (M.Ishiba- shi, K. Yamashita, K. Watanabe and H. Migazaki). Developments in the mass spectrometry of leukotrienes are dis- cussed in detail (R. c. Murphy and T. W. Harper). The roles of triple quadrupole MS-MS (J. V. Johnston, M. S. Lee, M. R. Lee, H. 0. Brotherton and R. A. Yost) and LC-MS and LC-MS-MS (J. Henion and T. Covey) in biomedical research are well represented. All the contributions are from estab- lished innovators in their respective fields. For the most part their contribu- tions summarise their own work and set it in the context of that of others. There is a good blend of qualitative (structural) and quantitative discussion. In summary, the book is very up-to- date, and leaves the reader with a clear impression of the role of modern mass spectrometry in biomedical research and the directions in which it might proceed in the near future. Apart from various symposia volumes this is the only book currently available which collects special- ist material of this nature into a single readable volume; hence it is a highly recommended reference work. R. P. Evershed University of Liverpool, UK