LASER DESORPTION/ABLATION POSTIONIZATION MASS SPECTROMETRY: RECENT PROGRESS IN BIOANALYTICAL APPLICATIONS

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Laser desorption/ablation (LD/API) is crucial for condensed matter analysis.
• Neutral analyte emission often exceeds ion emission during LD/API.
• Low ionization efficiency necessitates postionization methods to improve detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of laser desorption/ablation postionization (LD/API) techniques.
• To discuss the broadening bioanalytical applications of LD/API.
• To classify LD/API applications based on postionization methods and highlight recent advancements.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on LD/API techniques.
• Classification of LD/API methods (e.g., two-step laser mass spectrometry, laser ablation atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry).
• Focus on hyphenated techniques coupled with ambient mass spectrometry.

Main Results:

• LD/API techniques significantly enhance mass spectrometric detection by ionizing desorbed neutrals.
• These hyphenated techniques show great potential in bioanalytical applications.
• Advancements enable simultaneous location and quantification of analytes in complex biological matrices.

Conclusions:

• LD/API is a rapidly developing field with diverse applications in bioanalysis.
• Further research in LD/API promises significant contributions to pharmaceutical, toxin, and metabolite analysis.
• This review encapsulates key achievements in LD/API during the 21st century.