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. 2015 Feb;26(2):224-30.
doi: 10.1007/s13361-014-1056-z. Epub 2014 Dec 16.

Mass spectrometry in the home and garden

Christopher J Pulliam  1 , Ryan M Bain, Joshua S Wiley, Zheng Ouyang, R Graham Cooks
Affiliations

Mass spectrometry in the home and garden

Christopher J Pulliam et al. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom. 2015 Feb.

Abstract

Identification of active components in a variety of chemical products used directly by consumers is described at both trace and bulk levels using mass spectrometry. The combination of external ambient ionization with a portable mass spectrometer capable of tandem mass spectrometry provides high chemical specificity and sensitivity as well as allowing on-site monitoring. These experiments were done using a custom-built portable ion trap mass spectrometer in combination with the ambient ionization methods of paper spray, leaf spray, and low temperature plasma ionization. Bactericides, garden chemicals, air fresheners, and other products were examined. Herbicide applied to suburban lawns was detected in situ on single leaves 5 d after application.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) Mass spectrum of vanilla air freshener analyzed by LTP in the positive ion mode. The protonated vanillin ion corresponds to the peak at m/z 153. A peak at m/z 135 results from the loss of the hydroxyl substituent as water; m/z 270 is believed to be a fragment of steartrimonium chloride. There is an interferent from the LTP holder at m/z 448. (b) Pet repellent analyzed by LTP in positive in mode. The ion m/z 171 corresponds to protonated 2-undecanone at m/z 171
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Mass spectrum of disinfecting wipe using paper spray ionization in the positive ion mode. Ions m/z 332 and m/z 364 correspond to benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium and benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium cations. (b) MS2 product ion spectrum of the precursor ion m/z 332. The peak at m/z 240 corresponds to the loss of toluene [M + H − C7H8]+
Figure 3
Figure 3
MS2 spectrum of avobenzone collected in the positive mode using chemical ionization
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) MS2 scan of 2,4-D using leaf spray in negative ion mode. (b) Plot of m/z 219 -> m/z 175 intensity over three 5-d replicates. Each data point represents the average of 15 MS/MS measurements made on each of four leaves, 15 times. Uncertainties (RSD) are 0.11, 0.53, 0.18, 0.24, 0.77, and 0.84 for d- 1 to d 6, respectively
Figure 5
Figure 5
MS2 of ion with m/z 266 recorded in positive mode. Inset image is a full scan acquired using leaf spray
Scheme 1
Scheme 1
Experimental work flow
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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