Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique used to identify and quantify the chemical composition of a sample based on the mass-to-charge ratio of its ions. It’s widely used in various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, environmental science, and forensics. Here’s an overview of how mass spectrometry works and its key applications:

How Mass Spectrometry Works:

1. Ionization: The sample is ionized, typically by techniques like electron impact ionization, electrospray ionization (ESI), or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). This process converts sample molecules into ions, which are then manipulated and analyzed.
2. Mass Separation: The ions are accelerated into a mass analyzer, where they are separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). Common types of mass analyzers include:
   • Time-of-Flight (TOF): Measures the time it takes for ions to reach a detector.
   • Quadrupole: Uses electric fields to selectively allow ions of a specific m/z ratio to pass through.
   • Ion Trap: Traps and manipulates ions using electric and magnetic fields.
3. Detection: The separated ions are detected based on their m/z ratio, generating a mass spectrum. The intensity of peaks in the spectrum represents the abundance of ions with specific masses.
4. Data Analysis: The mass spectrum is analyzed to identify the composition of the sample. This may involve comparing the spectrum to databases of known compounds or performing fragmentation analysis to determine the structure of unknown compounds.