Filter Cone Spray Ionization Coupled to a Portable MS System: Application to On-Site Forensic Evidence and Environmental Sample Analysis

Abstract

The complexity of field-borne sample matrices and the instrumental constraints of portable mass spectrometers (MS) often necessitate that preparative steps are added prior to ambient MS methods when operated on-site, but the corresponding decrease in throughput and experimental simplicity can make field operation impractical. To this end, we report a modified ambient MS method, filter cone spray ionization (FCSI), specifically designed for simple, yet robust, processing of bulk forensic evidence and environmental samples using a fieldable MS system. This paper-crafted source utilizes low-cost laboratory consumables to produce a conical structure that serves as a disposable, spray-based ionization source. Integrated extraction and filtration capabilities mitigate sample heterogeneity and carryover concerns and expedite sample processing, as characterized through the analysis of a variety of authentic forensic evidence types (e.g., abused pharma tablets, counterfeit/adulterated tablets, crystal-based drugs, synthetic marijuana, toxicological specimens) and contaminated soil samples. The data presented herein suggests that the FCSI-MS design could prove robust to the rigors of field-borne, bulk sample screening, overcoming the inefficiencies of other ambient MS methods for these sample classes. Novel applications of FCSI-MS are also examined, such as the coupling to trace evidence vacuum filtration media.

Rapid and quantitative determination of fentanyls and pharmaceuticals from powdered drug samples by paper spray mass spectrometry

“…Direct solids analysis of pharmaceutical powders and other solid samples has been reported by a variant of PS‐MS, called paper cone spray ionization mass spectrometry (PCSI‐MS), which uses a three‐dimensional paper cone as a sampling and ionization platform 29 . This methodology has since further been developed and applied to on‐site forensic and environmental sample screening including drug tablets, crystal based drugs, and synthetic marijuana 28 . Although PCSI‐MS has been reported for direct powder analysis, the technique has not yet been commercialized or been used for quantitative analysis.…”

“…For HRDC purposes, selective and sensitive measurements of harmful components in drug samples are required prior to, or at the time of use. PS‐MS has previously been applied to the qualitative analysis of solid drugs samples including the semiquantitative detection of fentanyl and norfentanyl standards spiked into an analgesic slurry, 26 the detection of cocaine from simulated samples (following centrifugation and filtration), 27 and the forensic qualitative screening of DoA from various solid matrices using a variant of PS‐MS called paper cone spray ionization (PCSI) 28,29 . However, the quantitative analysis of DoA directly from solid samples with little to no sample preparation using PS‐MS is notably absent from the published literature.…”

Food Bioactive Compounds and Emerging Techniques for Their Extraction: Polyphenols as a Case Study

“…In this context, several relevant reports include DESI-MS for cosmetic additives [162]; LTP-MS, PSI-MS, and DART-MS of olive oil constituents [163,164]; and threadspray-MS for capsaicinoids [165]. In addition, Fatigante, et al [166] coupled these techniques to form simplistic extraction processes for better performance, as well FCSI-MS on portable instruments for field analysis.…”

The Post-COVID-19 Era: Interdisciplinary Demands of Contagion Surveillance Mass Spectrometry for Future Pandemics

“…Currently, there exist many commercial portable MS instruments which have been successfully used for in situ detection of marine microplastics and bulk forensic evidence of adulterated pharmaceuticals, and more recently for characterizing archeological artifacts (e.g., [72][73][74]). However, the MS instruments exclusively used for astrobiology and CBRN applications come closest to providing the MS features that would be needed for surveillance of contagion-laden ADF.…”