Easy Ambient Sonic-Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry in Food Analysis and Foodomics

Abstract

Ambient mass spectrometry (AMS), a subgroup within direct Mass Spectroscopy (MS) techniques, provides an even simpler approach, allowing direct access to mass spectra directly from the samples with no sample preparation. Since the beginning of AMS, the analysis of food and food-related samples has always been one of its major fields of application. Easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry (EASI-MS) technique along with other AMS techniques, such as desorption electrospray ionization, direct analysis in real time, and paper spray, has been the most widely used in foodomics studies. EASI-MS has also been used in the assessment of food quality and authenticity. EASI-MS technique, developed by M. N. Eberlin and coworkers in 2006, is certainly the simplest AMS ionization technique since no temperature or voltage is required to promote the ionization of the molecules. Venture-EASI is by concept a self-pumping ionization technique in which the Venturi effect is used to replace the solvent syringe pump.