Ambient mass spectrometry in metabolomics

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Mass Spectrometry

Background:

• Ambient mass spectrometry (MS) methods, including desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), are increasingly utilized across diverse scientific fields.
• These techniques offer advantages like minimal sample preparation, rapid analysis of various sample types (liquids, solids, gases), and in situ/in vivo capabilities.
• Metabolomics, the study of small molecules (<1.5 kDa) in biological systems, benefits significantly from ambient MS for characterizing dynamic molecular changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the broad applications of various ambient MS techniques within the field of metabolomics.
• To highlight the advantages of ambient MS in analyzing the complex and dynamic metabolome.
• To cover key applications in four primary fields where metabolomics is commonly employed.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) and other ambient MS techniques for direct sample analysis.
• Adjusting experimental parameters to selectively desorb and ionize metabolites with diverse chemical properties.
• Employing mass spectrometry for high-speed and sensitive analysis of ionized metabolites.

Main Results:

• Ambient MS enables rapid and direct analysis of the metabolome with limited sample preparation.
• The techniques facilitate in situ, in vivo, and imaging capabilities for comprehensive metabolic profiling.
• Metabolites, including endogenous compounds, secondary metabolites, dietary chemicals, and microbial metabolites, can be effectively characterized.

Conclusions:

• Ambient MS techniques, particularly DESI, have significantly advanced metabolomics research.
• These methods provide efficient and sensitive tools for understanding complex biological systems.
• The review underscores the versatility and impact of ambient MS across multiple scientific disciplines.