Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric observation of ligand exchange of zinc pyrithione with amino acids

Zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) is widely used as an antidandruff or antifouling reagent. However, this compound is considered toxic, such as the teratogenic effect, to aquatic lives, and it is important to clarify the mechanism of its toxicity. In this study, the interactions between ZnPT and amino acids were observed using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in order to obtain information on the activity of ZnPT within the living body. The ZnPT complex ([ZnPT-ligand+Amino acid](+)), in which the ligand of ZnPT was exchanged by the amino acid, was detected in ZnPT solutions mixed with one of 20 amino acids by ESI-MS. Histidine and cysteine, in particular, showed a high reactivity with ZnPT, while serine and glycine showed a low reactivity. The complexes of ZnPT and a peptide were also observed by the ESI-MS measurement of the solution containing ZnPT with the peptide. These results would be useful to understand the mechanism of ZnPT toxicities to living creatures. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.