ESI-MS of synthetic peptides

Question

Hi, 
 I am analyzing short (13 amino acid long) sythetic peptide by LC-MS. The peptide is not commercially made but produced in a chemistry research lab by a student. 
 I run ESI-MS (MicroTOF QII Bruker) in positive mode. 
 After deconvolution of m/z data using maximum entropy algorithm (Bruker's Copmass DataAnalysis software), the resulting monoisotopic mass is one Dalton less then the expected monoisotopic mass, and the isotopic distribution shape does not match the one predicted by IsotopIdent (Expasy) based on the expected peptide sequence. 
 What could be a reason for the mismatch? Can we conclude that the correct peptide was produced? 
 Would really appreciate your input! :)

MS2N · Answer

It's hard to say without MS/MS data. Can you comment on the exact mass error? 
 
 I can think of a couple of things: 
 
 1 Da could account be caused by deamidation. 
 I know Agilent's max ent SW reports the average mass which might shift the mass upward. For a 13 AA peptide, that would be about 1 Da. Not sure if Bruker's does the same or computes the monoisotopic. 
 With that low of a charge, you should also be able to deconvolute via RID (MassHunter Qual has this feature not sure about Bruker).

ESI-MS of synthetic peptides

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