Massaspektrometriamenetelmiä

Massaspektrometriamenetelmiä refers to the various techniques employed in mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions, allowing for the identification and quantification of chemical substances. These methods are crucial for understanding molecular structure, composition, and quantity.

One fundamental aspect of mass spectrometry methods is ionization. Different ionization techniques are used depending on the sample type and the desired information. Electron ionization (EI) is a common method for volatile organic compounds, producing fragmentation patterns that can be used for identification. Electrospray ionization (ESI) is a gentler technique suitable for polar and thermally labile molecules, often used in conjunction with liquid chromatography. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is another soft ionization method, particularly useful for large biomolecules like proteins and polymers.

Following ionization, ions are separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio. This separation is achieved using different types of mass analyzers. Quadrupole mass analyzers use oscillating electric fields to filter ions of a specific mass-to-charge ratio. Time-of-flight (TOF) analyzers measure the time it takes for ions to travel a fixed distance, with lighter ions traveling faster. Ion traps, such as quadrupole ion traps or orbitrap analyzers, can trap ions and perform multiple stages of mass analysis.

Finally, detected ions are measured by a detector, which converts the ion signal into an electrical signal that can be processed and analyzed to produce a mass spectrum. The resulting spectrum is a plot of ion abundance versus mass-to-charge ratio, providing a unique fingerprint for the analyzed sample.