title: Plasma-based ambient sampling/ionization/transmission integrated source for mass spectrometry.
abstract: Better sensitivity and interface of ambient sampling/ionization mass spectrometry remain a challenge. Herein, a novel, plasma-based, ambient sampling/ionization/transmission (PASIT) integrated source in a pin-to-funnel configuration was developed for the sensitive analysis of complex samples. With the funnel sleeve directly affected by direct-current discharge plasma, PASIT combines the ability to sample/ionize analyte molecules and then efficiently collect/transport charged mass species under atmospheric pressure and consequently shows an improved sensitivity. The integrated source enhances the signal intensity by more than 2 orders of magnitude compared with the previous pin-to-plate plasma source without significant background addition. A surface limit of detection (LOD) of 130 fmol mm-(2) (S/N = 3) has been achieved for clenbuterol on filter paper with an argon carrier gas. Demonstrated applications include the direct determination of active ingredients from drugs and symbolic compounds from natural plants and cholesterol from mouse brain tissue sections.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. znie@iccas.ac.cn.
authors.forename: Yueming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yafeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Caiqiao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Suming
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yongtai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zongxiu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017336:Loratadine / Q000032:analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D058626:Plasma Gases
chemical_list: D058626:Plasma Gases; D017336:Loratadine