Why tandem mass spectrometry for trace analysis: Concepts of tandem analytical techniques

Abstract

Rationale:The triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, typically in combination with a gas or liquid chromatograph (GC/MS/MS and LC/MS/MS), is perhaps the most iconic example today of a tandem analytical instrument. Here I present the concepts of tandem or hyphenated techniques for trace analysis (that is, the detection and/or quantitation of one or more analytes present in a mixture at low levels).Methods: This tutorial presents the principles of tandem trace analytical techniques such as GC/MS/MS and LC/MS/MS, including the capabilities and requirements for such tandem techniques, the role of sensitivity and selectivity in tandem techniques, ways to assess the "informing power" of these techniques, and a comparison of tandem techniques with individual techniques at high resolution. These points are illustrated with several examples of trace analysis using tandem analytical techniques.Results: Several characteristics of the triple quadrupole have made it the "laboratory workhorse" for trace analysis, including the remarkable efficiency of the low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) process in a radiofrequency (RF)-only multipole collision cell, the ease of computer control, and the capability for rapid scanning, rapid switching from mass to mass, and high transmission efficiency, enabling a wide variety of MS/MS scans. The efficiency of selected reaction monitoring means that triple quadrupoles dominate MS/MS for detection and quantitation of targeted compounds.Conclusions: This special issue addresses the intriguing question of how the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer progressed from "bleeding edge" to "the laboratory workhorse" over the last 40 years. This tutorial on the principles of tandem trace analytical techniques provides perspectives and insights into answering that question and should help educate the novice and stimulate the sophisticate.

Measurement and Uncertainty Analysis of Lunar Soil Water Content via Heating Flux Method

“…Mass spectrometers are sophisticated trace analysis instruments [10,11], but lunar soil is rich in volatiles [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20], which seems contradictory. In view of the measurement principle of a mass spectrometer, the smaller the mass of sample is, the better the measurement of volatiles.…”

The triple quadrupole: Innovation, serendipity and persistence

“…We can even think about adding more stages of analysis, for instance ion mobility separation. For more insights into the role of tandem analytical methods for trace analysis, see a recent tutorial [23] . The tremendous range of applications of tandem mass spectrometry has led to the widespread acceptance of MS/MS as a standard, routine analytical technique.…”

Mass Spectrometry-Based Techniques Towards OMICS 2.0

“…the emerging concept of OMICS 2.0 pushes it even further into the foreground [3,4]. Essentially, we use this exquisite combination to separate mixtures of complex composition, count analytes and identify unknown compounds represented by peaks on the spectrogram [5][6][7]. Both techniques are highly precise and swift, and they both have proven to be exceptionally operative and informative when combined.…”