Mass spectrometry analysis measures charged particles for mass-to-charge ratio, which is, measuring masses and the relative concentration of atoms and molecules in them. Mass spectrometers have commonly found applications in industry as well as academia.
Some of the most popular applications of mass spectrometry systems are:
1. Biochemistry:
Mass Spectrometry plays a vital role in molecular weight measurements. The system offers accurate results in confirmation of sample; helps determine the purity of the sample, monitor enzyme reactions, protein digestion, chemical modification and amino acid sequencing and oligonucleotide sequencing.
2. Dating and tracking isotopes: Mass Spectrometry is adopted to derive at the isotopic composition of elements within any given sample. The sensitive nature of the instruments helps detect the disparity in mass among isotopes which is extremely small. These isotope markers help identify the age of certain materials in processes such as carbon dating; and labeling with stable isotopes assist in protein quantifications.
3. Exploring the Space: Mass spectrometry systems have been interestingly employed in popular space programs such as the Viking Program to Mars, and the Cassini-Huyegens mission through the atmosphere of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. The mass spectrometers were used to study the atmospheric samples through the atmosphere during descent and also samples of the surface of the planet and the moon.
4. Pesticide Detection: Today, pesticides can easily find its way even in natural foods and supplements. The only viable and reliable method to test food and food products for multiple pesticides is with the help of mass spectrometry. This method which determines multiple compounds at the same time was developed at the U.S FDA by a Douglas Hayward and Jon Wong.
5. Atom Probe: This methodology is a combination of the popular time-of-light (TOF) Mass Spectrometry System and field ion microscopy for the purpose of mapping each individual atom.
In addition to these, mass spectrometry systems such as quadrupole mass spectrometry are applied in biotechnology for the analysis of proteins, peptides, and oligonucleotides. Pharmaceutical companies benefit from mass spectrometers such as triple TOF mass spectrometry systems for drug discovery, pharmacokinetics, combinatorial chemistry, and drug metabolism. Mass spectrometry also has its applications in clinical set ups for neonatal screening, drug testing and hemoglobin analysis. The system is employed for environmental studies such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon hazard studies, water quality testing, food contamination and Polychlorinated Biphenyl. Mass spectrometers are also used for oil composition testing.