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Direct Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometric Profiling of Real-World Samples via a Solid Sampling Probe

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Journal of The American Society for Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

This study presents a novel direct analysis strategy for rapid mass spectrometric profiling of biochemicals in real-world samples via a direct sampling probe (DSP) without sample pretreatments. Chemical modification is applied to a disposable stainless steel acupuncture needle to enhance its surface area and hydrophilicity. After insertion into real-world samples, biofluid can be attached on the DSP surface. With the presence of a high DC voltage and solvent vapor condensing on the tip of the DSP, analyte can be dissolved and electrosprayed. The simplicity in design, versatility in application aspects, and other advantages such as low cost and disposability make this new method a competitive tool for direct analysis of real-world samples.

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Acknowledgment

This work is financially supported by the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (S) and Development of System and Technology for Advanced Measurement and Analysis Program (SENTAN) from Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). Z.Y. thanks the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21205080) and the Scientific Research Fund of Liaoning Provincial Education Department (L2012393).

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Correspondence to Zhan Yu or Kenzo Hiraoka.

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Yu, Z., Chen, L.C., Mandal, M.K. et al. Direct Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometric Profiling of Real-World Samples via a Solid Sampling Probe. J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 24, 1612–1615 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13361-013-0697-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13361-013-0697-7

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