Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Visualization of Metabolites Identified in the Spatial Metabolome of Traditional Chinese Medicine Using DESI-MSI
Published on: December 16, 2022
DESI Spray Stability in the Negative Ion Mode Is Dependent on Relative Humidity
Clara L Feider1, Rachel J DeHoog1, Marta Sans1
1Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 100 E. 24th St. NHB 6.334, Stop A1590, Austin, TX, 78712-1597, USA.
Abstract:
Ambient ionization mass spectrometry (MS) techniques, such as desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), have been increasingly used due to their simplicity, minimal sample preparation requirements, and potential applications in the field and the clinic. However, due to their intrinsic nature, the performance of these methods is susceptible to variations in ambient conditions. Here, we present data that suggests DESI-MS analysis becomes inconsistent below a relative humidity (RH) level of ~ 35%. At low RH, we hypothesize that the DESI spray is subjected to frequent electrical discharges, resulting in unstable ionization and atypical mass spectra. Consequentially, poor image quality is observed when used for tissue imaging. Our results suggest that RH control should be considered in DESI-MS experiments to assure data quality. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.
More Related Videos
07:13Nanostructured Ag-zeolite Composites as Luminescence-based Humidity Sensors
Published on: November 15, 2016
10:44One-step Negative Chromatographic Purification of Helicobacter pylori Neutrophil-activating Protein Overexpressed in Escherichia coli in Batch Mode
Published on: June 18, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Relative Stabilities of Alkenes
RNA Stability
Ions and Ionic Charges
What is a Mode?
There can be more than one mode in a data set if multiple values have the same highest frequency. For instance, suppose that the Statistics exam scores of 20 students are: 50; 53; 59; 59; 63; 63; 72; 72; 72; 72; 72; 76; 78; 81; 83; 84; 84; 84; 90; 93. Here, the mode is 72, as it occurs most frequently, five times.
A data set with two modes is called bimodal. For example,...
Common Ion Effect
Precipitation of Ions
The equation that describes the equilibrium between solid calcium carbonate and its solvated ions is: