[ $C_8$ ]functionalized magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by coating magnetic $Fe_3O_4$ nanoparticles with silicaamine groups using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and by subsequently modifying the amine groups with chloro(dimethyl)octylsilane to produce octyl groups on the surface of the MNPs. The $C_8$-functionalized MNPs were used to enrich peptides from tryptic protein digests of myoglobin and ${alpha}$-casein. The enriched peptides were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). MALDI-MS was also used to investigate desalting of the $C_8$-functionalized MNPs. Sample solutions were prepared in 1.0 M NaCl, and the successful removal of salt was observed. Enrichment with $C_8$-functionalized MNPs was very effective for separating and concentrating tryptic peptides.