Enhanced Microfluidic Open Interface for the Direct Coupling of Solid Phase Microextraction with Liquid Electron Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Nicole Marittimo; Giorgio Famiglini; Pierangela Palma; Adriana Arigò; Achille Cappiello
- Source
- Subject
- Fentanyl
Acetonitriles
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Microfluidics
Organic Chemistry
Water
Electrons
General Medicine
Biochemistry
Solid Phase Microextraction
Analytical Chemistry
- Language
- English
Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) directly coupled to MS is a widespread technique for determining small molecules in different matrices in many application fields. Here we present a modified microfluidic open interface (MOI) connected to a passive-flow-splitter device (PFS) for the direct coupling of SPME to a liquid-electron ionization (LEI) interface in a tandem mass spectrometer for the analysis of complex biological samples. No chromatographic separation is involved. The new MOI-PFS configuration was designed to speed up the sample transfer to MS, improving the signal-to-noise ratio and peak shape and leading to fast and sensitive results. MOI-PFS-LEI-MS/MS experiments were conducted using fentanyl as a model compound in water and blood serum. The method uses a C18 Bio-SPME fiber by direct immersion (3 min) in 300 µL of the sample followed by rapid desorption (1 min) in a flow isolated volume (MOI chamber, 2.5 µL) filled with 100% acetonitrile. The PFS permits the rapid transfer of a fraction of the sample into the MS via the LEI interface. The optimal conditions were obtained at a flow rate of 10 µL·min