Neutral Desorption Sampling of Living Objects for Rapid Analysis by Extractive Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

MS comes to life: A novel method to sample surfaces of biological objects uses a neutral gas beam for in vivo EESI mass spectrometric analysis without sample pretreatment (see picture; QTOF=quadropole time-of-flight). The sampling process results in rapid in vivo analyses with reduced ion suppression and without chemical contamination. This strategy can be used in food quality monitoring, homeland security, metabolomics, and clinical diagnosis.