High-resolution mass spectrometry in toxicology: current status and future perspectives

Abstract

This paper reviews high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) approaches using time-of-flight or Orbitrap techniques for research and application in various toxicology fields, particularly in clinical toxicology and forensic toxicology published since 2013 and referenced in PubMed. In the introduction, an overview on applications of HRMS in various toxicology fields is given with reference to current review articles. Papers concerning HRMS in metabolism, screening, and quantification of pharmaceuticals, drugs of abuse, and toxins in human body samples are critically reviewed. Finally, a discussion on advantages as well as limitations and future perspectives of these methods is included.

Keywords: Drugs of abuse; High resolution; Liquid chromatography; Mass spectrometry; Metabolism; New psychoactive substances; Pharmaceuticals; Quantification; Screening; Toxicology; Toxins.