Submitted:
27 June 2026
Posted:
30 June 2026
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Abstract
Bryostatin is a marine natural marine product that was originally extracted from the sessile invertebrate Bugula nerintina. There is a marine bacterium, (Candidatus Endobugula sertula) that has a symbiotic relationship with Bugula that produces bryostatin. In the first large scale collection of Bugula, it took 14 tons of the obscure bryozoan to isolate 18 grams of the drug. This study focuses on isolating bryostatin from a material designed to attract and grow bacterium in the marine environment. Fourier transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Spectrometer (FT-ICR) is used to identify bryostatins, bryostatin, fragments, and adducts that are present in the matrix. Data is divided into two groups; 1. Calculated exact molar masses, using the NIST Isotope Tables, for the bryostatins 0-21, adducts, fragments and dimers of bryrostatins. These values are correlated with the data from the FT-ICR with possible structure identification. 2. The FT-ICR data acquired from the extracts of the samples. This data is matched with the calculated values to identify specific empirical formulas. For bryostatin-1, the five most common isotopic variations and their natural abundance); would be: M; C47H68O17Na, 927.43487 (2) M+1 (+1 × 13C) 928.43823 (3) M+2 (+2 13C) 929.44158 (4) M+3 × 13C (930.44494) (5) M + 4 (+2 × 13C + 18O, 931.44583.
Keywords:
1. Introduction
2. Results
| Ion Type | Empirical Formula (Adduct Form) | Exact Mass (Da) |
| [M − H]− | C47H67O17− | 903.4378 |
| [M + F]− | C47H68O17F− | 923.4441 |
| [M + Cl]− | C47H68O17Cl− | 939.4145 |
| [M + OH]− | C47H69O18− | 921.4484 |
| Fragment Assignment | Formula (Adduct Form) | Δ Mass (Da) | Exact m/z |
| [M + Na]+ (parent) | C47H68O17Na+ | — | 927.435 |
| −H2O | C47H66O16Na+ | −18.010565 | 909.425 |
| −2H2O | C47H64O15Na+ | −36.021130 | 891.414 |
| −CH3 | C46H65O17Na+ | −15.023475 | 912.412 |
| −OCH3 | C46H65O16Na+ | −31.018390 | 896.417 |
| −CO | C46H68O16Na+ | −28.010565 | 899.425 |
| −CO2 | C46H68O15Na+ | −44.009500 | 883.426 |
| −Acetyl (CH3CO) | C45H65O16Na+ | −43.018390 | 884.417 |
| −Acetic acid (CH3COOH) | C45H64O15Na+ | −60.021130 | 867.414 |
| Negative Ion Mode | |||
| Fragment Assignment | Formula | Δ Mass (Da) | Exact m/z |
| [M − H]− | C47H67O17− | — | 903.437825 |
| −H2O | C47H65O16− | −18.01 0565 | 885.42726 |
| −CH3 | C46H64O17− | −15.023475 | 888.41435 |
| −CO2 | C46H67O15− | −44.009500 | 859.428325 |
| −Acetic acid | C45H66O16− | −60.021130 | 843.416695 |
| [M + Cl]− | Cl adduct | 34.968853 | 939.414503 |
| [M + OH]− | Hydroxide adduct | 17.00274 | 921.44839 |
| # | [M+H]+ | [M+Na]+ | [M+K]+ | −H2O (Na) | −CH3 (Na) | −AcOH (Na) |
| 0 | 891.437 | 913.42 | 929.394 | 895.409 | 898.396 | 853.399 |
| 1 | 905.453 | 927.435 | 943.409 | 909.425 | 912.412 | 867.414 |
| 2 | 863.442 | 885.425 | 901.399 | 867.414 | 870.401 | 825.404 |
| 3 | 889.422 | 911.404 | 927.378 | 893.394 | 896.381 | 851.383 |
| 4 | 895.469 | 917.451 | 933.425 | 899.441 | 902.428 | 857.43 |
| 5 | 867.437 | 889.42 | 905.394 | 871.409 | 874.396 | 829.399 |
| 6 | 853.422 | 875.404 | 891.378 | 857.394 | 860.381 | 815.383 |
| 7 | 825.39 | 847.373 | 863.347 | 829.362 | 832.349 | 787.352 |
| 8 | 881.453 | 903.435 | 919.409 | 885.425 | 888.412 | 843.414 |
| 9 | 853.422 | 875.404 | 891.378 | 857.394 | 860.381 | 815.383 |
| 10 | 809.432 | 831.415 | 847.389 | 813.404 | 816.391 | 771.394 |
| 11 | 767.385 | 789.368 | 805.342 | 771.357 | 774.344 | 729.347 |
| 12 | 933.484 | 955.467 | 971.441 | 937.456 | 940.443 | 895.446 |
| 13 | 795.416 | 817.398 | 833.372 | 799.388 | 802.375 | 757.377 |
| 14 | 825.427 | 847.409 | 863.383 | 829.397 | 832.385 | 787.387 |
| 15 | 921.448 | 943.43 | 959.404 | 925.42 | 928.407 | 883.409 |
| 16 | 791.416 | 813.399 | 829.373 | 795.388 | 798.375 | 753.378 |
| 17 | 791.416 | 813.399 | 829.373 | 795.388 | 798.375 | 753.378 |
| 18 | 809.432 | 831.415 | 847.389 | 813.404 | 816.391 | 771.394 |
| 19 | 837.427 | 859.409 | 875.383 | 841.398 | 844.386 | 799.388 |
| 20 | 851.442 | 873.425 | 889.399 | 855.414 | 858.401 | 813.404 |
| 21 | 865.458 | 887.44 | 903.414 | 869.43 | 872.417 | 827.419 |
3. Discussion
- (1)
- Methods: Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) offers unique advantages for marine natural product analysis by combining ultrahigh mass resolving power with sub ppm mass accuracy, resulting in a confident elemental formula assignment in extracts containing thousands of overlapping molecular features[21,22]. This capability is particularly critical for marine matrices, where high salt content, metal adduction, and extensive isobaric congestion frequently confound lower resolution mass analyzers. FT-ICR provides exceptional dynamic range and nondestructive ion detection via image current measurement, supporting repeated acquisitions, an isotopic fine structure analysis. Electrospray ionization FT-ICR mass spectrometry exhibits ultra-high sensitivity, with detection limits reported in the attomole range under optimized nano ESI conditions. However, for neutral, moderate hydrophobic macrolides such as the bryostatins (MW ~900 Da), practical limits of detection are typically in the femtomole to low-picomole range, depending on ionization efficiency, adduct formation, and matrix complexity. In marine extracts, ion suppression (Na+, K+, etc.) and chemical background can elevate the limits of detection, with reliable detection generally achieved at ≥0.1–1 picomole levels. Positive ion mode is generally more effective for bryostatins, as these neutral, oxygen-rich macrolides preferentially form stable cations such as [M+Na]+, [M+Li]+, and [M+K]+, which can give strong, well-resolved FT-ICR signals with high mass accuracy. Alkali metal adducts, especially Na+ and Li+, often enhance signal intensity and reproducibility, but they also distribute ion current across multiple adduct peaks, which can reduce sensitivity for any single species. Transition metal adducts (e.g., Fe+2) are less common and may complicate spectra due to coordination chemistry and isotopic patterns. In contrast, negative ion mode is generally less sensitive for bryostatins because they lack strongly acidic functional groups, making [M–H]− formation inefficient under typical ESI conditions. However, negative mode can still be useful for detecting specific adducts such as [M+Cl]− or for probing minor acidic impurities, degradation products, or conjugates.[23,24] Overall, positive ion mode provides higher sensitivity and cleaner detection for bryostatins, whereas negative ion mode offers complementary information but typically at the cost of lower signal intensity and more limited ionization pathways.
4. Materials and Methods
Acknowledgments
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| Bryostatin | Mode | Ion / Adduct | Empirical Formula | Theoretical m/z | Observed m/z | Error (ppm) | S/N |
| Bryo-1 | Negative | [M–H]− | C47H67O17− | 904.5306 | 904.5303 | −0.3 | 47 |
| Bryo-1 | Negative | [M+Cl]− | C47H68O17Cl− | 940.5103 | 940.5108 | 0.5 | 18 |
| Bryo-1 | Positive | [M+Na]+ | C47H68O17Na+ | 928.5288 | 928.5307 | 2 | 23 |
| Bryo-1 | Positive | [M+K]+ | C47H68O17K+ | 944.5027 | 944.505 | 2.4 | 14 |
| Bryo-1 | Positive | [M+Li]+ | C47H68O17Li+ | 912.5458 | 912.5464 | 0.7 | 20 |
| Bryo-2/8† | Negative | [M–H]− | C45H65O16− | 885.5048 | 885.5054 | 0.7 | 24 |
| Bryo-2/8† | Positive | [M+Na]+ | C45H66O16Na+ | 909.5029 | 909.5046 | 1.9 | 19 |
| Bryo-5 | Negative | [M–H]− | C48H69O17− | 930.497 | 930.4964 | −0.6 | 16 |
| Bryo-5 | Positive | [M+Na]+ | C48H70O17Na+ | 954.4951 | 954.497 | 2 | 17 |
| Bryo-6 | Negative | [M–H]− | C46H67O16− | 919.4897 | 919.4892 | −0.6 | 16 |
| Bryo-10 | Positive | [M+Na]+ | C47H70O16Na+ | 952.5101 | 952.512 | 2 | 15 |
| Bryostatin | Assigned Ion | Obs. m/z | Error (ppm) | S/N | Evidence |
| Bryostatin 1 | [M–H]− | ~905.515 | −0.7 ppm | ~29 | Strong parent peak |
| Bryostatin 2 / 8 | [M–H]− | ~885.504 | −0.6 ppm | ~24 | Isobaric pair indistinguishable at MS1 |
| Bryostatin 5 | [M–H]− | ~931.505 | −0.6 ppm | ~16 | Clear parent ion |
| Bryostatin 6 | [M–H]− | ~919.489 | −0.5 ppm | ~16 | Clear parent ion |
| Bryostatin 10 | [M–H]− | ~929.489 | −0.3 ppm | ~15 | Clear parent ion |
| Parent | Fragment Type | Neutral Loss | Formula | Theoretical m/z | Observed m/z | Error (ppm) | S/N |
| Bryo 1 | –CH3 | −14.01565 | C46H65O17 | 891.5 | 891.515 | −1.8 | 15 |
| Bryo 1 | –H2O | −18.01056 | C47H66O16 | 887.505 | 887.514 | −1.6 | 14 |
| Bryo 5 | –H2O | −18.01056 | C48H68O16 | 913.495 | 913.494 | −1.0 | 11 |
| Bryo 6 | –CH3 | −14.01565 | C45H65O16 | 905.474 | 905.474 | −0.2 | 12 |
| Bryo 10 | –H2O | −18.01056 | C47H68O15 | 911.479 | 911.479 | −0.2 | 10 |
| Bryostatin | Mode | Ion / Adduct | Empirical Formula | Theoretical m/z | Observed m/z | Error (ppm) | S/N |
| Bryo-1 | Negative | [M–H]− | C47H67O17− | 904.531 | 904.53 | −0.3 | 47 |
| Bryo-1 | Negative | [M+Cl]− | C47H68O17Cl− | 940.51 | 940.511 | 0.5 | 18 |
| Bryo-1 | Positive | [M+Na]+ | C47H68O17Na+ | 928.529 | 928.531 | 2 | 23 |
| Bryo-1 | Positive | [M+K]+ | C47H68O17K+ | 944.503 | 944.505 | 2.4 | 14 |
| Bryo-1 | Positive | [M+Li]+ | C47H68O17Li+ | 912.546 | 912.546 | 0.7 | 20 |
| Bryo-5 | Negative | [M–H]− | C48H69O17− | 930.497 | 930.496 | −0.6 | 16 |
| Bryo-5 | Positive | [M+Na]+ | C48H70O17Na+ | 954.495 | 954.497 | 2 | 17 |
| Bryo-6 | Negative | [M–H]− | C46H67O16− | 919.49 | 919.489 | −0.6 | 16 |
| Bryo-10 | Positive | [M+Na]+ | C47H70O16Na+ | 952.51 | 952.512 | 2 | 15 |
| Ion Type | Empirical Formula (Adduct Form) | Exact Mass (Da) |
| [M + H]+ | C47H69O17+ | 905.453 |
| [M + Li]+ | C47H68O17Li+ | 911.462 |
| [M + Na]+ | C47H68O17Na+ | 927.435 |
| [M + K]+ | C47H68O17K+ | 943.409 |
| [M + Fe]+ | C47H68O17Fe+ | 960.381 |
| [M + Ca]2+ | C47H68O17Ca2+ | 472.204 |
| (m/z, z = +2) | ||
| [M + H3O]+ | C47H71O18+ | 923.464 |
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