Influence of ZnO morphology on the capability of portable paper‐based electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to determine therapeutic drugs in complex matrices

Abstract

Adsorbents play a significant role in enhancing the analytical sensitivity of target analytes in complex samples by mitigating matrix effects. In our recent report, ZnO stood out among various adsorbents to determine target therapeutic drugs in complex biological matrices when applied for portable paper‐based electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PPESI‐MS). However, the influence of the morphology of ZnO on the performance of PPESI‐MS is elusive. Herein, different morphologies of ZnO particles were prepared via co‐precipitation or ultrasonic methods, and their capability to determine different therapeutic drugs in serum were systemically investigated. The results demonstrated that flower‐shaped ZnO gave a superior capacity, and its analysis sensitivity was 2.9–12.8‐fold higher than those achieved with other ZnO morphologies. Further characterization revealed that the unique performance of flower‐shaped ZnO was closely associated with its favorable desorption behavior to drugs, small spray plume, and few spray emitters at the tip of coated paper substrate. To illustrate the potential of flower‐shaped ZnO, its coated paper was used as a substrate for the determination of various drugs in complex matrices such as serum, and a limit of detection as low as 2 pg mL−1 was achieved. The corresponding recoveries ranged from 93.2% to 107.2%. The developed protocol is promising in high‐sensitivity analysis of target drugs in complex sample matrices.

Crystallization and Solvent Evaporation Ionization Mass Spectrometry (CSEI-MS) for Rapid Detection of Drugs in Complex Matrices

“…due to its advantages of fast, easy operation, real time, and in situ analysis without complicated pretreatments. − Some techniques based on electrospray (ESI) were applied, such as surface-coated wooden-tip ESI for the determination of trace antibiotics in water. The modified iron sheet acted as spray tip for selective enrichment and desalting detection of sulfonamides. − These methods require modifications of the material for specific analytes and may, therefore, have some challenges for the detection of other analytes. Spontaneous desalting droplet spray ionization was applied on the detection of antibiotics in seawater. , Some techniques based on paper spray ionization (PSI) were also developed to realize sample detection in complex matrices and salty solutions. − Temperature-tuning desorption ionization and thermal desorption electrospray ionization desorbed antimicrobial preservatives, pesticides, etc.…”