Direct Detection of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products from Aqueous Samples with Thermally-Assisted Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

An ambient mass spectrometric method based on desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) has been developed to allow rapid, direct analysis of contaminated water samples, and the technique was evaluated through analysis of a wide array of pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) contaminants. Incorporating direct infusion of aqueous sample and thermal assistance into the source design has allowed low ppt detection limits for the target analytes in drinking water matrices. With this methodology, mass spectral information can be collected in less than 1 min, consuming~100 μL of total sample. Quantitative ability was also demonstrated without the use of an internal standard, yielding decent linearity and reproducibility. Initial results suggest that this source configuration is resistant to carryover effects and robust towards multicomponent samples. The rapid, continuous analysis afforded by this method offers advantages in terms of sample analysis time and throughput over traditional hyphenated mass spectrometric techniques.

Rapid detection and isotopic measurement of discrete inorganic samples using acoustically actuated droplet ejection and extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

“…(d)). In some instances, the device and sample heating might be beneficial for enhancing desolvation of ejected droplets and therefore enhancing the efficiency of dry ion formation . However, biomolecules and other thermally labile compounds may be sensitive to elevated temperature and substrate heating may significantly degrade these molecules.…”

Optimization of a SPME/GC/MS Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Waters

“…In conclusion, the optimized SPME procedure offers features comparable in terms of analytical performance, sample analysis time and throughput over those obtained by various methods developed for a single, or max two, PPCP class(es) [8,10,[20][21][22][23][24][25] or achieved by advanced MS methods, i.e., based on desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) [14].…”

“…As a consequence, there is pressing need for efficient, reliable analytical methods to address the occurrence, concentration, and fate of PPCPs in natural waters. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) are the best techniques for PPCP analysis, because of their high separation resolution, identification capability and very low LOD values [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Due to the matrix complexity and the low PPCP levels, the instrumental analysis requires preliminary extraction and pre-concentration steps that typically account for over 60% of the total analysis time and largely determine the result quality: therefore the development of fast, cost-effective, environmentally friendly sample pretreatment procedures is a pressing need.…”

Analytical chemistry research at primarily undergraduate institutions: training tomorrow's investigators

“…Another strategy at PUIs is to engage in collaborative MS research. [55][56][57] The instrument used for designer drug detection included a miniaturized mass analyzer for increased portability. For example, Alexandra Stenson's research group at the University of South Alabama collaborates with the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee.…”