Rapid analysis of fragrance allergens by dielectric barrier discharge ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract

Rationale Fragrances are organic compounds with pleasant odors that are widely used in every aspect of our daily life; some fragrance ingredients can cause allergic reactions. Hence, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of fragrance allergens can prevent consumers coming into contact with these compounds. In this study, we evaluated the ability of a dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI) source for analyzing allergens that occur in fragrances. Methods A home‐built liquid‐infusion device was used to evaporate the liquid samples. An active capillary plasma ionization source, which is based on a dielectric barrier discharge, was used to ionize the analytes. Mass spectra were acquired in positive ion mode with an LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Results Seven typical fragrance allergens were analyzed in this study. The limits of detections (LODs) were as low as 0.0001 ppm and a linear dynamic range of 2–3 orders of magnitude was achieved. Allergens in five different perfume products were successfully analyzed and quantified by this method, with analysis times of less than 1 min per sample. Conclusions This work introduces a DBDI‐MS‐based analytical method for detecting and quantifying fragrance allergens. Since DBDI has the advantages of high sensitivity, simple operation and fast analysis time, it is very suitable for the rapid analysis of trace allergens in fragrances, and could easily be used for quality control of consumer products in the cosmetics market.

Hybrid Ionization Source Combining Nanoelectrospray and Dielectric Barrier Discharge Ionization for the Simultaneous Detection of Polar and Nonpolar Compounds in Single Cells

“…For example, dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI) source is a sensitive, efficient, and cheap low-temperature plasma source, which is based on completely different ionization processes than ESI. 27,28 The plasma contains many reactive species, including electrons, ions, neutral atoms, excited states, radicals, and photons. 29 Reactive species in the plasma determine the ionization reactions and product ions.…”

“…The details about the home-built DBDI source can be found in a previous publication. 27 In brief, the DBDI has two electrodes (Figure S2), an inner electrode (grounded, stainless steel, ID: 0.6 mm and OD: 1.0 mm) and an outer electrode (high voltage, copper, ID: 1.55 mm, around a glass capillary). They are isolated by a glass capillary that acts as a dielectric barrier.…”

“…We reasoned that different ionization methods can complement each other, which should be beneficial for the study of single-cell metabolomics. For example, dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI) source is a sensitive, efficient, and cheap low-temperature plasma source, which is based on completely different ionization processes than ESI. , The plasma contains many reactive species, including electrons, ions, neutral atoms, excited states, radicals, and photons . Reactive species in the plasma determine the ionization reactions and product ions. ,, Some reactive species (e.g., N 2 +• , O 2 +• , N 2 *) will lead to charging of nonpolar compounds through charge transfer, electron impact, or Penning ionization processes, while other reactive species (e.g., (H 2 O) n H + ) ionize polar compounds via protonation.…”

High‐Throughput Single‐Cell Mass Spectrometry Reveals Abnormal Lipid Metabolism in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

“…In this work, we propose a high‐throughput and label‐free single‐cell analytical method based on an active capillary DBDI source, [24] where the ionization takes place inside a capillary that is directly connected to the MS inlet. This dramatically increases robustness and ion transmission into the MS.…”

“…In this work, we propose ahigh-throughput and label-free single-cell analytical method based on an active capillary DBDI source, [24] where the ionization takes place inside ac apillary that is directly connected to the MS inlet. This dramatically increases robustness and ion transmission into the MS.T he DBDI-MS platform (Figure 1) used in this work can analyze multiple metabolites in as ingle cell at the same time,i ncluding organic acids,c arbonyl compounds,h eterocyclic organic compounds and lipids,and can detect around 38 cells per minute.T he proposed DBDI-MS platform was able to discriminate multiple cell types (293T,P ANC-1, CFPAC-1, HeLa and iBAs) based on their metabolic profile.Moreover, the abnormal lipid metabolism in pancreatic cancer cells was observed by using the DBDI-MS platform.…”