Mass Spec Simplified – Techniques for Reducing Sample Preparation Burden

This webinar features several useful tools to simplify or even eliminate the sample preparation involved prior to mass spectrometry. In this educational session you will learn about several prep-free mass spec techniques that are available, and how to select which method is best for your analysis. Advion will share their perspectives on some of the new tools and protocols to minimize and simplify sample preparation. You’ll learn how to reduce your time in the lab and see your mass spec results in as little as 30 seconds!

As an attendee, you will learn more about:

  • How to select the best tools for sample introduction based on your compound
  • How new tools can reduce or eliminate sample preparation for results in <30 seconds
  • New workflows to maximize your time in the lab by simplifying complex processes

This webinar was presented at the 2023 LabXpo Virtual event by Lab Manager  and LabX, recorded July 20, 2023.

Experiential Education: Mass Spectrometry Enters the Teaching Laboratory

Thanks to the diminishing size and cost of mass spectrometers, coupled with their increasing robustness and ease of use, universities are now starting to furnish their undergraduate chemistry laboratories with this advanced analytic tool.

“My favorite learning environment is the laboratory,” explains Paul A. Flowers, professor of analytical chemistry at University of North Carolina at Pembroke. “I like teaching students fundamentals through bona fide research experiences.” Flowers began using mass spectrometry in the teaching laboratory about six years ago and hasn’t looked back.

Learn more about the integration of mass spectrometry for teaching with this free whitepaper.

Gas Phase Sample Analysis By Volatile APCI (vAPCI)

Volatile Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (vAPCI) combined with Advion Interchim Scientific’s expression® compact mass spectrometer (CMS) is a fast and easy method to analyze the headspace of a sample with no additional sample prep.

The vAPCI ion source is a simple, powerful tool for gas phase sample analysis. The technique can quickly and confidently identify compounds in air, breath, headspace and other gas samples.

Transforming presumptive forensic testing: in situ identification and age estimation of human bodily fluids

Stephanie Rankin-Turner, Matthew A. Turner, Paul F. Kelly, Roberto S. P. King, James Reynolds

The ability to achieve rapid, in situ identification and age estimation of human bodily fluids can provide valuable information during the investigation of a crime. A novel direct analysis method now permits the rapid in situ identification and age estimation of human bodily fluids for forensic analysis at crime scenes. A thermal desorption surface sampling probe was developed and coupled with a compact mass spectrometer for the direct analysis of volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles of human bodily fluids within two months and in different environmental conditions, without the need for prior sample preparation. The method is not only capable of identifying bodily fluids and discriminating against common interferent species, but also differentiating between bodily fluid stains of different ages over a time period of two months. This demonstrates the potential for rapid in situ identification and age estimation of bodily fluids without the need for contaminative presumptive tests or time-consuming sample preparation.

The MS analysis was carried out using Advion Interchim Scientific Expression® CMS vAPCI.

Direct analysis of volatile organic compounds in foods by headspace extraction atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry

P. Perez-Hurtado, E. Palmer, T. Owen, C. Aldcroft, M.H. Allen, J. Jones,,C.S. Creaser, M.R. Lindley, M.A. Turner, J.C. Reynolds

The rapid screening of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by direct analysis has potential applications in the areas of food and flavour science. Currently, the technique of choice for VOC analysis is gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). However, the long chromatographic run times and elaborate sample preparation associated with this technique have led a movement towards direct analysis techniques, such as selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS), proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) and electronic noses. The work presented here describes the design and construction of a Venturi jet-pump-based modification for a compact mass spectrometer which enables the direct introduction of volatiles for qualitative and quantitative analysis.

The MS analysis was carried out using Advion Expression® CMS with vAPCI.

Peak Express: Software for the Synthetic Organic Chemist

Introducing a new type of mass spectrum, available exclusively in the Advion Peak Express software suite: the Delta Spectrum (ΔS). The ΔS is available with the expression® compact mass spectrometer (CMS) to look beyond chemical noise and automatically detect even the smallest peaks without knowing the m/z in advance.

With the Peak Express™ software featuring ΔS, you can:

  • Obtain clear detection of peaks without knowing their mass
  • Find adducts, dimers, fragments, side-reactions and other unexpected compounds at the click of a button, in real-time or with post-processing
  • Highlight minor components in complex mixtures and dirty matrices
  • Control mass-directed purification without providing the compound mass
  • Acquire XIC-quality data while scanning the entire mass range, allowing Peak Express to tell you the m/z

vAPCI: How it Works

Direct sample analysis of liquids, solids and powders without chromatography is as easy as it sounds, and provides mass spectral information within seconds. The video demonstrates analysis of a reaction mixture.

Identification of a Pesticide Used in Lawn Care by vAPCI Compact Mass Spectrometry

At regular intervals throughout the year a local lawn service applies pesticides to the lawn surrounding the Advion headquarters in Ithaca, NY. The grass is very uniform and not a single dandelion or crabgrass plant is visible – so we wondered, what chemical do they use? After an application in the early spring, we sampled the yellow pellets and utilized the Advion expression® CMS (compact mass spectrometer) coupled with a vapor Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (vAPCI) ion source to determine the unknown chemical.

Analyses of Different Grades of Olive Oil by Volatile Mass Spectrometry

In this application note, we demonstrate the use of the Advion Interchim Scientific expression® CMS with a volatile APCI (vAPCI) ion source to analyze extra-virgin, virgin, and lampante olive oil samples. We show statistical analysis allowing us to categorize and identify olive oil samples by their grade. This technique allows us to test individual olive oil samples and determine if they are truly extra-virgin, virgin, or lampante grade.