SILICA-FIBER MICROEXTRACTION FOR LASER-DESORPTION ION-TRAP MASS-SPECTROMETRY

We have coupled sample collection by solid-phase microextraction on disposable fused silica optical fibers with analysis by laser desorption ion trap mass spectrometry for rapid screening of organic contaminants in complex matrices. Because the silica-fiber probe serves as both the sampling medium and the sample support for laser desorption, traditional methods of sample preparation are eliminated with the expected gains in speed aad simplicity. Pyrene was the benchmark compound in these experiments but we show that the technique is also applicable to other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and semivolatile compounds, laser dyes, pesticides, and peptides. Derivatizing the silica fiber improves the analyte collection efficiency, and firing the laser during a ring electrode rf ramp promotes dependable trapping of laser-desorbed ions.