MALDI-TOF mass spectra of lipid A from E. coli O116 obtained using different matrices. Four different matrices, ATT (a), CMBT (b), DHB (c), and THAP (d), were used. The samples were spotted onto the MALDI MS target plate first and then each matrix was applied over the spots as a second layer. Laser energy (in arbitrary units) was adjusted based on the matrices used: ATT, 7,000; CMBT, 4,300; DHB, 7,000; THAP, 7,000.