Analysis of Samples Stored as Individual Plugs in a Capillary by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 2009 papers
Abstract
Droplets or plugs within multiphase microfluidic systems have rapidly gained interest as a way to manipulate samples and chemical reactions on the femtoliter to microliter scale. Chemical analysis of the plugs remains a challenge. We have discovered that nanoliter plugs of sample separated by air or oil can be analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry when pumped directly into a fused silica nanospray emitter tip. Using leucine-enkephalin in methanol and 1% acetic acid in water (50:50 v:v) as a model sample, we found carry-over between plugs was <0.1% and relative standard deviation of signal for a series of plugs was 3%. Detection limits were 1 nM. Sample analysis rates of 0.8 Hz were achieved by pumping 13 nL samples separated by 3 mm long air gaps in a 75 microm inner diameter tube. Analysis rates were limited by the scan time of the ion trap mass spectrometer. The system provides a robust, rapid, and information-rich method for chemical analysis of sample in segmented flow systems.
Related Papers
- → Electrospray‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for direct ambient analysis of solids(2005)475 cited
- → Direct Protein Detection from Biological Media through Electrospray-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization/Mass Spectrometry(2006)124 cited
- → Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry(2010)4 cited
- Studies of Heterogeneous/Homogeneous Ion-Molecule Reactions by Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry(2011)