Revolution in mass spectrometry
2005/03/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
So far, mass spectrometers were laboratory tools. From now on, these devices can leave outside the laboratories. In fact, a method that has just been developed will allow the use of mass spectrometry anywhere. Soon, mass spectrometry may be used to detect remnants of explosives and drugs in airport luggage or to investigate the metabolism of drugs.
Mass spectrometry is a technique used to analyze the composition of a substance. For this purpose, the molecules are identified by their weight. However, this technique presents some drawbacks: the need to perform the analysis within the vacuum chamber and the time necessary for the analysis of the samples.
To overcome this they have developed the method of electrospray-ionization by desorption. In contrast to common mass spectrometry, the new technique presents advantages such as that the analysis can be carried out outside the vacuum chamber and at room temperature, and that a previous preparation of the sample is not necessary, among others. Therefore, this technique allows to analyze any surface on the ground. It will soon be possible to study directly by mass spectrometry substances present in skins, clothes, suitcases, etc.
Scientists who have developed desorption electrospray-ionization have already detected several chemical compounds on different surfaces. For example, explosive RDX in a piece of leather, chemical weapon DMMP in a rubber glove and organic compounds in seeds. In addition, this method has allowed detecting antihistamines in the skin. Therefore, the new technique allows mass spectrometry to have in the future other uses that until now it did not have.
