Dual ambient plasma source ionization mass spectrometry for the rapid detection of trace sterols in urban water

Abstract

A direct analytical method based on dual ambient plasma ion source tandem mass spectrometry was used for the simultaneous determination of four sterols in the environment. This technology has very high sensitivity and the method detects the four sterols in methanol–water (1:3) solutions with limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) ranging from 1.2 ng/L to 6.9 ng/L and 7.6 ng/L to 10.0 ng/L, respectively. The method was also used to test water quality at three locations within the city and successfully detected all four sterols at very low concentrations. The dual plasma source tandem mass spectrometry technique is extremely simple, rapid, sensitive and highly efficient compared to other traditional methods, providing a useful screening tool for sterols in water.

Applications of ambient ionization mass spectrometry in 2022: An annual review

“…162 The use of AIMS in environmental sciences has also exhibited some produced by cyanobacteria, in field samples, 164 the use of iEESI to detect perfluorooctanoic acid contamination in fish, 165 and the use of a dual plasma ion source (incorporating both corona discharge and a microwave plasma torch) to detect trace sterols in urban water samples. 166 Plasma-based AIMS techniques have also been utilized for the analysis of complex oil products. Fully formulated oil (FFO) is a substance frequently used in the automotive industry, but its high chemical complexity makes full characterization challenging and traditional techniques typically target specific analytes.…”

“…Although a somewhat niche area of study, the research demonstrates the versatility of AIMS for environmental applications and the power of combining techniques to target a broader range of analytes. Other studies have further evaluated AIMS for different applications to environmental samples, including the use of DART to detect anatoxin‐a, a neurotoxin produced by cyanobacteria, in field samples, 164 the use of iEESI to detect perfluorooctanoic acid contamination in fish, 165 and the use of a dual plasma ion source (incorporating both corona discharge and a microwave plasma torch) to detect trace sterols in urban water samples 166 …”

Nonderivatized Method for the Detection of Perfluoroalkane Sulfonyl Fluorides by Liquid Chromatography–Microwave Plasma Torch Ionization Mass Spectrometry

“…The microwave plasma torch (MPT) is a type of microwave-excited ambient plasma. In recent years, its capabilities as an atmospheric pressure ion source have been explored, allowing desorption and ionization of analytes from surfaces for mass spectrometric analysis. , In comparison to traditional plasma ion sources, MPT demonstrates increased ion collision probabilities and energies, resulting in the production of significant quantities of primary reagent ions . Furthermore, our previous research discovered that in the operation of an atmospheric pressure plasma ion source device, plasma-activated oxygen and water in the air will produce a large number of reactive oxygen fragments and hydroxyl radicals, which can quickly carry out the oxidation of some compounds.…”

Toward digital ionization: Wide-energy programmable microwave plasma for high coverage mass spectrometry analysis of trace biosamples

“…Speer et al successfully determined the atomic and organic composition for samples applicable to nuclear and conventional forensic screening, including explosive/radionuclide mixtures and inorganic/organic gunshot residue component mixtures, using hightemperature microwave plasma at 200 W 28 . Microwave plasma below 100 W was reported to detect sterol molecules and attain complete protonation peaks in urban water 29 . In addition, a microwave plasma troch ionization technique, which was performed at 1500 W through a central tube feed, exhibited a hard ionization capability comparable to inductively coupled plasma (ICP), allowing the dissociation of charged metallic elements 30 .…”