Analysis of carotenoids by field desorption mass spectrometry

Abstract

Abstract The mass spectra of a variety of authentic carotenoids covering a range of structural types have been studied using the field desorption technique. All the compounds examined show the molecular ion as the base peak, even where this ion is of very low intensity in the electron‐impact spectra. Little fragmentation is observed, but thermal decomposition can be induced in certain cases by using higher emitter currents. Application to a simple mixture of authentic compounds and a more complex mixture of sedimentary origin shows the potential of the method in the rapid qualitative screening of carotenoids in crude extracts.