Detection of Protein Toxin Simulants from Contaminated Surfaces by Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry

Wichert, William R. A.; Dhummakupt, Elizabeth S.; Zhang, Chengsen; Mach, Phillip M.; Bernhards, Robert C.; Glaros, Trevor; Manicke, Nicholas E.

doi:10.1007/s13361-019-02141-6

Cited by 16 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 58 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The Whatman chromatography paper (31ET, Filter 5, Filter 1575, and Filter 4) was coated using a silanization reagent reported by Damon et al Carbon‐nanotube coatings were prepared as described by Zhang et al Polyethylene, 31ET, Filter 5 and Filter 1575 were coated in a layer of carbon exceeding 100 nm in thickness using a Vacuum Desk V sputtering system (Denton, Moorestown, NJ, USA) as previously described by Wichert et al Briefly, paper substrates were cut to fit within the sputter chamber, approximately 20 cm 2 . Carbon rods were sharpened and held in contact via a spring‐loaded mount, and a current (~15 A) was applied to slowly deposit the carbon, which yielded a uniform layer on the paper substrates.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A statistical approach to optimizing paper spray mass spectrometry parameters

Skaggs

Kirkpatrick

Wichert

et al. 2020

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Rationale Paper spray mass spectrometry (PS‐MS) was used to analyze and quantify ampicillin, a hydrophilic compound and frequently utilized antibiotic. Hydrophilic molecules are difficult to analyze via PS‐MS due to their strong binding affinity to paper substrates and low ionization efficiency, among other reasons. Methods Solvent and paper parameters were optimized to increase the extraction of ampicillin from the paper substrate. After optimizing these key parameters, a Resolution IV 1/16 fractional factorial design with two center points was employed to screen eight different design parameters simultaneously. Results Pore size, sample volume, and solvent volume were the most significant factors affecting average peak area under the curve (AUC) and the signal‐to‐blank (S/B) ratio for the 1 μg/mL ampicillin calibrant. After optimizing the key parameters, a linear calibration curve with a range of 0.2 μg/mL to 100 μg/mL was generated (R2 = 0.98) and the limit of detection (LOD) and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) were calculated to be 0.07 μg/mL and 0.25 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusions The statistical optimization procedure undertaken here increased the mass spectral signal intensity by more than a factor of 40. This statistical method of screening followed by optimization experiments proved faster and more efficient, and produced more drastic improvements than typical one‐factor‐at‐a‐time experiments.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A statistical approach to optimizing paper spray mass spectrometry parameters

Skaggs

Kirkpatrick

Wichert

et al. 2020

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…More recently developed fieldable ion trap instruments have a more extended mass range (~1000 m/z) and have potential for detection of biowarfare agents. Recently, a proof-of-concept study demonstrated that paperspray from swabs could detect protein toxins relevant to biowarfare agents (Wichert et al, 2019). This method has potential to be a powerful technique for rapid on-site detection of biological agents if it could be successfully coupled to a fieldable instrument.…”

Section: Field Forensics Using Ambient Msmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fieldable Mass Spectrometry for Forensic Science, Homeland Security, and Defense Applications

Evans-Nguyen

Stelmack

Clowser

et al. 2020

Mass Spectrometry Reviews

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mass spectrometry is commonly used in forensic chemistry laboratories for sensitive, definitive analysis. There have been significant efforts to bring mass spectrometry analysis on-site through the development of ruggedized, fieldable instruments. Testing samples in the field is of particular interest in forensic science, homeland security, and defense applications. In forensic chemistry, testing seized drugs in the field can significantly improve efficiencies in processing of related criminal cases. The screening of passengers and luggage at transportation hubs is a critical need for homeland security for which mass spectrometry is well suited to provide definitive answers with low false positive rates. Mass spectrometry can yield reliable data for military personnel testing sites for potential chemical weapons release. To meet the needs of the forensic and security communities fieldable mass spectrometers based on membrane inlet systems and hybrid gas chromatography systems have been developed and commercialized. More recently developed ambient ionization mass spectrometry methods can eliminate the time, equipment, and expertise associated with sample preparation, and so are especially appealing for on-site analysis. We describe the development of fieldable mass spectrometry systems, with emphasis on commercially available systems that have been deployed for on-site analysis of seized drugs, chemical warfare agents, explosives, and other analytes of interest to the forensic and security communities.

show abstract

“…18−20 Surface sampling by combining swabs with paper spray mass spectrometry has been demonstrated for drugs, 21 explosives, 16 and protein toxins. 22 Paper spray coupled with portable mass spectrometry has been utilized for forensic applications 23−27 and drug checking as part of harm-reduction practices. 28,29 Paper spray ionization utilizes a triangular piece of paper placed directly in front of the mass spectrometer (MS) inlet and connected to a high-voltage source to produce ions.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Combined with Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry for Low-Cost Collection and Analysis of Drug Residues

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Illicit drug use causes over half a million deaths worldwide every year. Drugs of abuse are commonly smuggled through customs and border checkpoints and, increasingly, through parcel delivery services. Improved methods for detection of trace drug residues from surfaces are needed. Such methods should be robust, fieldable, sensitive, and capable of detecting a wide range of drugs. In this work, commercially produced paper with a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating was utilized for the collection and analysis of trace drug residues by paper spray mass spectrometry (MS). This modified substrate was used to combine sample collection of drug residues from surfaces with rapid detection using a single paper spray ticket. The all-in-one ticket was used to probe different surfaces commonly encountered in forensic work including clothing, cardboard, glass, concrete, asphalt, and aluminum. A total of 10 drugs (acetyl fentanyl, fentanyl, clonazolam, cocaine, heroin, ketamine, methamphetamine, methylone, U-47700, and XLR-11) were evaluated and found to be detectable in the picogram range using a benchtop mass spectrometer and in the low nanogram range using a portable ion trap MS. The novel approach demonstrates a simple yet effective sampling strategy, allowing for rapid identification from difficult surfaces via paper spray mass spectrometry.

show abstract

Detection of Protein Toxin Simulants from Contaminated Surfaces by Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry

Cited by 16 publications

References 58 publications

A statistical approach to optimizing paper spray mass spectrometry parameters

A statistical approach to optimizing paper spray mass spectrometry parameters

Fieldable Mass Spectrometry for Forensic Science, Homeland Security, and Defense Applications

Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Combined with Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry for Low-Cost Collection and Analysis of Drug Residues

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About