A dopant for improved sensitivity in easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry

J Mass Spectrom. 2016 Jan;51(1):53-61. doi: 10.1002/jms.3726.

Abstract

Recently, 3-nitrobenzonitrile (3-NBN) has been used to improve sensitivity of sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry. Easy ambient sonic-spray ionization (EASI) is one of the simplest, gentlest and most used spray-based desorption/ionization ambient techniques, but limited sensitivity has been commonly taken as its major drawback. Herein we investigate the use of 3-NBN as a dopant in EASI-MS for improved sensitivity. Using a few typical EASI samples as test cases, the presence of 10 ppm (µg ml(-1) ) of 3-NBN in the spray solvent showed two to fourfold gains in EASI-MS sensitivity as measured both by total ion current and S/N ratios, accompanied with significant reductions in chemical noise. Sensitivity for DESI using 3-NBN as a dopant also improved and dopant DESI versus dopant EASI sensitivities were compared. The use of solvent dopants seems therefore to be a promising strategy to improve sensitivity for spray-based ambient MS techniques. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Keywords: 3-nitrobenzonitrile and mass spectrometry; DESI-MS; EASI-MS; dopant.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biofuels / analysis
  • Equipment Design
  • Glycerophospholipids / analysis
  • Indicators and Reagents / chemistry
  • Nitriles / chemistry*
  • Nitrobenzenes / chemistry*
  • Olive Oil / analysis
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Solvents / classification
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / instrumentation
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / methods*

Substances

  • Biofuels
  • Glycerophospholipids
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Nitriles
  • Nitrobenzenes
  • Olive Oil
  • Solvents
  • 3-nitrobenzonitrile