Ambient ionization mass spectrometry: A tutorial

• Published in: Analytica chimica acta Vol. 702; no. 1; pp. 1 - 15
• Main Authors: Huang, Min-Zong, Cheng, Sy-Chi, Cho, Yi-Tzu, Shiea, Jentaie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 19-09-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Air Ionization; Ambient; Analytical chemistry; Antiterrorism; Applied sciences; Atmospheric Pressure; Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization; Biological; Biological and medical sciences; Chemistry; Desorption/ionization; Diverse techniques; Electrospray ionization; Exact sciences and technology; Explosive Agents - analysis; Forensic engineering; Forensic Sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Global environmental pollution; Imaging; Ionization; Mass spectrometry; Metabolomics; Molecular and cellular biology; Monitoring; Pharmaceutical Preparations - analysis; Pollution; Proteomics; Sensitivity and Specificity; Spectrometric and optical methods; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization - instrumentation; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization - methods; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization - instrumentation; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization - methods; Two-step ionization; Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization; Ambient; Desorption/ionization; Two-step ionization; Electrospray ionization; Metabolomics; Atmospheric pressure; Forensic aspect; Review; Surface analysis; Electrospray; Characterization; Direct method; Sample preparation; Imaging; Drug of abuse; Monitoring; Forensic science; Use; Desorption; Chemical ionization; Environmental control; Biological compound; Screening; Pollutant; Sensitivity; Chemical reaction; Food security; Proteomics; Explosives; Detection; Application; Mass spectrometry
• ISSN: 0003-2670; 1873-4324
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2011.06.017

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► Ambient ionization technique allows the direct analysis of sample surfaces with little or no sample pretreatment. ► We sort ambient ionization techniques into three main analytical strategies, direct ionization, direct desorption/ionization, and two-step ionization. ► The underlying principles of operation, ionization processes, detecting mass ranges, sensitivity, and representative applications of these techniques are described and compared.
Ambient ionization is a set of mass spectrometric ionization techniques performed under ambient conditions that allows the direct analysis of sample surfaces with little or no sample pretreatment. Using combinations of different types of sample introduction systems and ionization methods, several novel techniques have been developed over the last few years with many applications (e.g., food safety screening; detection of pharmaceuticals and drug abuse; monitoring of environmental pollutants; detection of explosives for antiterrorism and forensics; characterization of biological compounds for proteomics and metabolomics; molecular imaging analysis; and monitoring chemical and biochemical reactions). Electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization are the two main ionization principles most commonly used in ambient ionization mass spectrometry. This tutorial paper provides a review of the publications related to ambient ionization techniques. We describe and compare the underlying principles of operation, ionization processes, detecting mass ranges, sensitivity, and representative applications of these techniques.