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Hydride atomization and the fate of free analyte atoms in an externally heated quartz tube atomizer (QTA) were investigated employing selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). SIFT-MS proved to be ideally suited to study water concentration in gases leaving the atomizer. This made it possible to quantify the oxygen "contaminant" flow rate to QTA as 0.04-0.05 mL min

A study was performed of the reactions of protonated acetic acid hydrates, CH3COOHH+(H2O)n, with acetone molecules, CH3COCH3, using a selected ion flow-drift tube (SIFDT). The rationale for this study is that hydrated protonated organic molecules are major product ions in secondary electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SESI-MS) and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). Yet the formation and reactivity of these hydrates are only poorly understood, and kinetics data are only sparse. The existing SIFDT instrument in our laboratory was upgraded to include an octupole ion guide and a separate drift tube by which hydrated protonated ions can be selectively injected into the drift tube reactor and their reactions with molecules studied under controlled conditions. This case study shows that, in these hydrated ion reactions with acetone molecules, the dominant reaction process is ligand switching producing mostly proton-bound dimer ions (CH3COCH3)H+(CH3COOH), with minor branching into (CH3COCH3)H+(H2O). This switching reaction was observed to proceed at the collisional rate, while other studied hydrated ions reacted more slowly. An attempt is made to understand the reaction mechanisms and the structures of the reaction intermediate ions at the molecular level. Secondary switching reactions of the asymmetric proton-bound dimer ions lead to a formation of strongly bound symmetrical dimers (CH3COCH3)2H+, the terminating ion in this ion chemistry. These results strongly suggest that, in SESI-MS and IMS, the presence of a polar compound, like acetone in exhaled breath, can suppress the analyte ions of low concentration compounds like acetic acid thus compromising their quantification.

Volatile breath metabolites serve as potential disease biomarkers. Online mass spectrometry (MS) presents real-time quantification of breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The study aims to assess the relationship between two online analytical mass spectrometry techniques in the quantification of target breath metabolites: selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) and proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS). The two following techniques were employed: (i) direct injection with bag sampling using SIFT-MS and PTR-ToF-MS and (ii) direct injection and thermal desorption (TD) tube comparison using PTR-ToF-MS. The concentration of abundant breath metabolites, acetone and isoprene, demonstrated a strong positive linear correlation between both mass spectrometry techniques (r = 0.97, r = 0.89, respectively; p 0.80, p < 0.001). Analyte concentrations were notably higher with the direct injection of a sampling bag compared to the TD method. All metabolites produced a high degree of agreement in the detection range of VOCs between SIFT-MS and PTR-ToF-MS, with the majority of compounds falling within 95% of the limits of agreement with Bland-Altman analysis. The cross platform analysis of exhaled breath demonstrates strong positive correlation coefficients, linear regression, and agreement in target metabolite detection rates between both breath sampling techniques. The study demonstrates the transferability of using data outputs between SIFT-MS and PTR-ToF-MS. It supports the implementation of a TD platform in multi-site studies for breath biomarker research in order to facilitate sample transport between clinics and the laboratory.

To assess the suitability of NHNHThe k values for the reactions of the biogenic molecules were invariably faster in NNH

An 14N nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectroscopy method has been developed using the singular spectrum analysis (SSA) based on the principal components concept. For the first time, it was demonstrated that this method can be used as a low cost and non-destructive quantitative method for analyses of small amounts (

Glyoxal (C2H2O2) is a highly reactive molecule present at trace levels in specific gaseous environments. For analyses by chemical ionization mass spectrometry, it is important to understand the gas-phase chemistry initiated by reactions of H3O+ ions with C2H2O2 molecules in the presence of water vapour. This chemistry was studied at variable humidity using a selected ion flow tube, SIFT. The initial step is a proton transfer reaction forming protonated glyoxal C2H3O2+. The second step, in the presence of water vapour, is the association forming C2H3O2+(H2O) and interestingly also protonated formaldehyde CH2OH+. Hydrated protonated formaldehyde CH2OH+(H2O) was also observed. Relative signals of these four ionic products were studied at the end of the flow tube where the reactions took place during 0.3 ms in helium carrier gas (1.5 mbar, 300 K) as the water vapour number density varied up to 1014 cm−3. The data were interpreted using numerical kinetics modelling of the reaction sequences and the mechanisms and kinetics of the reaction steps were characterised. The results thus facilitate SIFT-MS analyses of glyoxal in humid air whilst drawing attention to ion overlaps with formaldehyde products.

The reactions of the reagent ions used for trace gas analysis in selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS), RThe ternary association rate coefficients mediated by helium (He) carrier gas atoms, kValues of kThe significance of these adduct ions for trace gas analysis by SIFT-MS in the low m/z region is alluded to, and some examples are given of m/z spectral overlaps of the R

RATIONALE Secondary electrospray ionization (SESI) is currently only semi-quantitative. In the Zspray™ arrangement of SESI-MS, the transfer of ions from near atmospheric pressure to a triple quadrupole is achieved by guiding electric fields that partially desolvate both reagent and analyte ions which must be understood. Also, to make SESI-MS more quantitative, the mechanisms and the kinetics of the reaction processes, especially ligand switching reactions of hydrated hydronium reagent ions, H3 O+ (H2 O)n , with volatile organic compound (VOC) molecules, need to be understood. METHODS A modified Zspray™ ESI ion source operating at sub-atmospheric pressure with analyte sample gas introduced via an inlet coaxial with the spray was used. Variation of the ion-guiding electric fields was used to reveal the degree of desolvation of both reagent and analyte ions. The instrument sensitivity was determined for several classes of VOCs by introducing bag samples of suitably varying concentrations as quantified on-line using selected ion flow tube MS. RESULTS Electric field desolvation resulted in largely protonated VOCs, MH+ , and their monohydrates, MH+ H2 O, and for some VOCs proton-bound dimer ions, MH+ M, were formed. There was a highly linear response of the ion signal to the measured VOC sample concentration, which provided the instrument sensitivities, S, for 25 VOCs. The startling results show very wide variations in S from near 0 to 1 for hydrocarbons, and up to 100, on a relative scale, for polar compounds such as monoketones and unsaturated aldehydes. CONCLUSIONS The complex ion chemistry occurring in the SESI ion source, largely involving gas-phase ligand switching, results in widely variable sensitivities for different classes of VOCs. The sensitivity is observed to depend on the dipole moment and proton affinity of the analyte VOC molecule, M, and to decrease with the observed fraction of MH+ H2 O, but other yet unrecognized factors must play a significant role.

Soft chemical ionization mass spectrometry (SCI-MS) techniques can be used to accurately quantify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air in real time; however, differentiation of isomers still represents a challenge. A suitable pre-separation technique is thus needed, ideally capable of analyses over a few tens of seconds. To this end, a bespoke fast gas chromatography (GC) instrument with an electrically heated 5 m long metallic capillary column was coupled to selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) measurements. To assess the performance of this combination, a case study of monoterpene isomer (C10H16) analyses was carried out. The monoterpenes were quantified by SIFT-MS using H3O+ reagent ions (analyte ions C10H17+, m∕z 137, and C6H9+, m∕z 81) and NO+ reagent ions (analyte ions C10H16+, m∕z 136, and C7H9+, m∕z 93). The combinations of the fragment ion relative intensities obtained using H3O+ and NO+ were shown to be characteristic of the individual monoterpenes. Two non-polar GC columns (Restek Inc.) were tested: the advantage of MXT-1 was shorter retention, whilst the advantage of MXT-Volatiles was better separation. Thus, it is possible to identify components of a monoterpene mixture in less than 45 s using the MXT-1 column and to separate them in less than 180 s using the MXT-Volatiles column. Quality of the separation and the sensitivity of present technique (limit of detection, LOD, ∼16 ppbv) was found to be inferior compared to commercially available fast GC solutions coupled with proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS, LOD ∼1 ppbv) due to the limited sample flow through the column. However, using combinations of two reagent ions improved identification of monoterpenes not well resolved by the chromatograms. As an illustrative example, the headspace of needle samples of three conifer species was analysed by both reagent ions and with both columns showing that mainly α-pinene, β-pinene and 3-carene were present. The system can thus be used for direct rapid monitoring of monoterpenes above 20 ppbv, such as applications in laboratory studies of monoterpene standards and leaf headspace analysis. Limitation of the sensitivity due to the total sample flow can be improved using a multi-column pre-separation.

A study has been made of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into the contained headspace of packaged lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta) plants, cut at the roots, and of separated rocket (Eruca sativa) and baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaves. Direct real‐time analyses of the headspace were carried out on each of five consecutive days using selected‐ion flow‐tube mass spectrometry (SIFT‐MS) and secondary electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SESI‐MS), together with concomitant off‐line analyses using solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). It was observed that the concentrations of organosulphur compounds, especially dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) were relatively low in the headspace of fresh samples, but increased exponentially over the 5 days for rocket, increased to a lesser extent for spinach, and increased to an even lesser extent for lamb's lettuce. Methanol was detected in the headspace of even fresh samples of lamb's lettuce, and its concentration increased for the subsequent 2–3 days before decreasing. This trend was mirrored in the isoprenoids analysed, which are characteristic of plant tissues. These results show that direct real‐time VOC analyses by SIFT‐MS can be usefully exploited to monitor fresh leaf salad spoilage, and that SESI‐MS spectra show patterns that are characteristic of salad type and storage time.

A new time-integrated thermal desorption technique has been developed that can be used with selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, TI-TD/SIFT-MS, for off-line quantitative analyses of VOCs accumulated onto sorbents. Using a slow desorption temperature ramp, the absolute amounts of desorbed compounds can be quantified in real time by SIFT-MS and constitutional isomers can be separated. To facilitate application of this technique to environmental atmospheric monitoring, method parameters were optimised for quantification of the three common atmospheric monoterpenes: β-pinene, R-limonene and 3-carene. Three sorbent types, Tenax TA, Tenax GR and Porapak Q, were tested under 26 different desorption conditions determined by the "design of experiment", DOE, systematic approach. The optimal combination of type of sorbent, bed length, sampling flow rate, sample volume and the initial desorption temperature was determined from the experimental results by ANOVA. It was found that Porapak Q exhibited better efficiency of sample collection and further extraction for total monoterpene concentration measurements. On the other hand, Tenax GR or TA enabled separation of all three monoterpenes. The results of this laboratory study were tested with the sample accumulated from a branch of a Pinus nigra tree. Graphical abstract.

Soft chemical ionization mass spectrometry techniques, particularly the well-established proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry, PTR-MS, and selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, SIFT-MS, are widely used for real-time quantification of volatile organic compounds in ambient air and exhaled breath with applications ranging from environmental science to medicine. The most common reagent ions H3O+, NO+, or O2+• can be selected either by quadrupole mass filtering from a discharge ion source, which is relatively inefficient, or by switching the gas/vapor in the ion source, which is relatively slow. The chosen reagent ions are introduced into a flow tube or flow-drift tube reactor where they react with analyte molecules in sample gas. This article describes a new electrostatic reagent ion switching, ERIS, technique by which H3O+, NO+, and O2+• reagent ions, produced simultaneously in three separate gas discharges, can be purified in post-discharge source drift tubes, switched rapidly, and selected for tr...

A selected ion flow tube, SIFT, study has been carried out for the reactions of the SIFT-MS reagent ions H3O+, NO+ and O2+ with 21 ketones, M, comprising 13 saturated monoketones of which 10 are linear and 3 are branched, 5 unsaturated monoketones and 3 diones. The collisional rate coefficients, kc, were calculated for the H3O+ reactions that all proceed via rapid proton transfer and the relative rate coefficients for the NO+ and O2+ reactions were obtained experimentally. The product ion distributions for all 63 reactions were obtained at two sample gas absolute humidity (0.5% and 5.5%), the higher humidity intended to simulate that of exhaled breath. A major objective was to understand how the product ions of the reactions formed hydrates, which is important for accurate quantification of metabolites in humid air samples by SIFT-MS and by secondary electrospray ionisation, SESI. The MH+ product ions of the H3O+ reactions readily hydrate at the higher humidity, the monohydrate being dominant for both the saturated and unsaturated ketones, whereas the dihydrate was dominant for the dione reactions. In the NO+ reactions, formation of the NO+M adduct ions was dominant for the saturated and unsaturated ketones, but charge transfer producing the M+ parent cation was very dominant in the dione reactions. The O2+ reactions all proceeded via dissociative charge transfer producing the parent cation M+ and closed shell and open shell cation fragments. Except for the dione parent cations, the M+ ions hydrated, as did the open shell fragment ions of the O2+ reactions, but the closed shell fragment ions did not hydrate.

The reaction of oxygen anions with carbon dioxide molecules is considered to be the main channel of CO3− ion formation in the Martian ionosphere. Comprehensive theoretical ion-chemical models of the Martian ionosphere require experimental data on the reactivity of negative ions with neutral gases under relevant ambient temperature and pressure conditions. The temperature dependence of the rate of the ternary reaction of O− with CO2 has been measured at temperatures relevant to the ionosphere of Mars using a VT-SIFT instrument using both helium and nitrogen as the carrier (ternary) gases. The ternary rate coefficient of the reaction was measured equal to (1.24 ± 0.06) × 10−28 (300/T)2.86±0.28 and (2.29 ± 0.05) × 10−28 (300/T)2.06±0.13 cm6s−1 for He and N2 carrier gas, respectively, in the temperature range of 230–340 K. The k3 is over two times higher in nitrogen than in helium and has a less strong inverse temperature dependence.

Atlantic salmon is rich in bioactive proteins, antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, making it a rich source of essential nutrients. However, it is highly susceptible to biochemical, physicochemical, and microbial spoilage. The aim of this study was to use natural oregano and dill antioxidant extracts in combination with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (CO2:N2 60:40) to retain the quality and delay lipid oxidation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during storage. Extract-treated samples and controls (both vacuum packed and in MAP) were stored under chilled conditions (4 ± 1 °C) for 0−16 days. Quality changes during storage were assessed in terms of drip loss, microbial growth, color, pH, protein solubility, and lipid oxidation. Primary and secondary lipid oxidation products were determined by means of peroxide value and TBARS. In parallel, volatile compounds were analyzed using GC-MS, SIFT-MS and SESI-MS. GC-MS indicated 29 recognizable VOCs present in the headspace of the salmon samples. SIFT-MS quantification was carried out for ammonia and 33 VOCs, including alcohols, several aldehydes, carboxylic acids, sulfur compounds, trimethylamine, and ammonia. While dill or oregano treatment reduced lipid oxidation after 16 days of storage, it did not affect VOC concentrations significantly. The study has revealed that changes of the measured concentration of volatiles with storage time could be used to monitor freshness and spoilage of the fish while observing the effect of natural antioxidants.

Rationale Secondary electrospray ionization (SESI) in a water spray environment at atmospheric pressure involves the reactions of hydrated hydronium reagent ions, H3 O+ (H2 O)n with trace analyte compounds, A, in air samples. Understanding the formation and dehydration of reagent and analyte ions is the foundation for meaningful quantification of trace compounds by SESI-MS. Methods A numerical model based on gas-phase ion thermochemistry is developed that describes equilibria in H3 O+ (H2 O)n reagent cluster ion distributions, and ligand switching reactions with polar NH3 molecules leading to equilibrated hydrated ammonium ions NH4 + (H2 O)m . The model predictions are compared with experimental results obtained using a cylindrical SESI ion source coupled to an ion-trap mass spectrometer via a heated ion transfer capillary. Non-polar isoprene, C5 H8 , was used to further probe the nature of the reagent ions. Results Equilibrium distributions of H3 O+ (H2 O)n ions and their reactions with NH3 molecules have been characterized by the model in the near-atmospheric pressure SESI ion source. NH3 analyte molecules displace H2 O ligands from the H3 O+ (H2 O)n ions at the collisional rate forming NH4 + (H2 O)m ions, which travel through the heated ion transfer capillary losing H2 O molecules. The data for variable NH3 concentration match the model predictions and the C5 H8 test substantiates the notion of dehydration in the heated capillary. Conclusions Large cluster ions formed in the SESI region are dehydrated to H3 O+ (H2 O)1,2,3 and NH4 + (H2 O)1,2 while passing through the heated capillary, and considerable diffusion losses also occur. This phenomenon is also predicted for other polar analyte molecules, A, that can undergo similar switching reactions, thus forming AH+ and AH+ (H2 O)m analyte ions.

Ion-molecule reactions (IMR) are at the very core of trace gas analyses in modern chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrometer instruments, which are increasingly being used in diverse areas of research and industry. The focus of this Perspective is on the ion chemistry that underpins gas-phase analytical CI methods. Special attention is given to the soft chemical ionization method known as selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). The processes involved in the ion chemistry of the reagent cations, H

Phthalates are widely industrially used and their toxicity is of serious environmental and public health concern. Chemical ionization (CI) analytical techniques offer the potential to detect and monitor traces of phthalate vapours in air or sample headspace in real time. Promising techniques include selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS), proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). To facilitate such analyses, reactions of H3O+, O2+ and NO+ reagent ions with phthalate molecules need to be understood. Thus, the ion chemistry of dimethyl phthalate isomers (dimethyl phthalate, DMP – ortho; dimethyl isophthalate, DMIP – meta; dimethyl terephthalate, DMTP – para), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dipropyl phthalate (DPP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) was studied by SIFT-MS. Reactions of H3O+, O2+ and NO+ with these phthalate molecules M were found to produce the characteristic primary ion products MH+, M+ and MNO+, respectively. In addition, a dissociation process forming the (M–OR)+ fragment was observed. For phthalates with longer alkyl chains, mainly DPP and DBP, a secondary dissociation channel triggered by the McLafferty rearrangement was also observed. However, this is dominant only for the more energetic O2+ reactions with phthalates, additionally resulting in a recognisable formation of the protonated phthalate anhydride. For the NO+ reagent ions, the McLafferty rearrangement makes only a minor contribution and for H3O+, it was not observed. Experiments on the effect of water vapour on this ion chemistry have shown that protonated DMIP and DMTP efficiently associate with H2O forming the DMIP·H+H2O, DMIP·H+(H2O)2 and DMTP·H+H2O cluster ions, whilst the protonated ortho DMP isomer as well as other ortho phthalates DEP, DPP and DBP does not associate with H2O. The results indicate that the degree of hydration can be used to identify specific phthalate isomers in CI.

Glyoxal (C2H2O2) is a highly reactive molecule present at trace levels in specific gaseous environments. For analyses by chemical ionization mass spectrometry, it is important to understand the gas-phase chemistry initiated by reactions of H3O+ ions with C2H2O2 molecules in the presence of water vapour. This chemistry was studied at variable humidity using a selected ion flow tube, SIFT. The initial step is a proton transfer reaction forming protonated glyoxal C2H3O2+. The second step, in the presence of water vapour, is the association forming C2H3O2+(H2O) and interestingly also protonated formaldehyde CH2OH+. Hydrated protonated formaldehyde CH2OH+(H2O) was also observed. Relative signals of these four ionic products were studied at the end of the flow tube where the reactions took place during 0.3 ms in helium carrier gas (1.5 mbar, 300 K) as the water vapour number density varied up to 1014 cm-3. The data were interpreted using numerical kinetics modelling of the reaction sequences and the mechanisms and kinetics of the reaction steps were characterised. The results thus facilitate SIFT-MS analyses of glyoxal in humid air whilst drawing attention to ion overlaps with formaldehyde products.

RATIONALE The volatile compounds generated by the electrochemical reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide and nitrogen include isobaric methanol (CH3 OH) and, potentially, hydrazine (N2 H4 ). To achieve quantification of hydrazine molecules by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS), its reactions with H3 O+ , NO+ and O2+ reagent ions must be understood. METHODS A SIFT study (using a SIFT-MS instrument) was carried out to obtain rate coefficients and product ions for the reactions of H3 O+ , NO+ and O2+ reagent ions with N2 H4 and CH3 OH molecules present in the humid headspace of their aqueous solutions. Using the kinetics data obtained, solution headspace concentrations were determined for both compounds as a function of their liquid-phase concentrations at 10, 20 and 35°C. RESULTS Both compounds react with H3 O+ ions via rapid proton transfer to produce CH3 OH2+ and H5 N2+ ions with the common m/z value of 33. It is revealed that NO+ rapidly transfers charge to N2 H4 (rate coefficient k = 2.3 × 10-9 cm3 s-1 ) but only slowly associates with CH3 OH (k2eff = 7.1 × 10-11 cm3 s-1 ). Thus, selective analysis can be achieved using both H3 O+ and NO+ reagent ions. The headspace methanol vapour concentration was found to increase with increasing solution temperature, but that of hydrazine decreased with an associated increase of ammonia (NH3 ) as measured with O2+ reagent ions. CONCLUSIONS The isobaric compounds methanol and hydrazine can be separately analysed in real time by SIFT-MS using H3 O+ and NO+ reagent ions, even when they co-occur in humid air. The evolution of hydrazine from aqueous solutions can be quantitatively monitored together with its decomposition at elevated temperatures.

Rationale The analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within exhaled breath potentially offers a non-invasive method for the detection and surveillance of human disease. Oral contamination of exhaled breath may influence the detection of systemic VOCs relevant to human disease. This study aims to assess the impact of oral cleansing strategies on exhaled VOC levels in order to standardise practice for breath sampling. Methods Ten healthy volunteers consumed a nutrient challenge followed by four oral cleansing methods: (a) water, (b) saltwater, (c) toothbrushing, and (d) alcohol-free mouthwash. Direct breath sampling was performed using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry after each intervention. Results Proposed reactions suggest that volatile fatty acid and alcohol levels (butanoic, pentanoic acid, ethanol) declined with oral cleansing interventions, predominantly after an initial oral rinse with water. Concentrations of aldehydes and phenols (acetaldehyde, menthone, p-cresol) declined with oral water rinse; however, they increased after toothbrushing and mouthwash use, secondary to flavoured ingredients within these products. No significant reductions were observed with sulphur compounds. Conclusions Findings suggest that oral rinsing with water prior to breath sampling may reduce oral contamination of VOC levels, and further interventions for oral decontamination with flavoured products may compromise results. This intervention may serve as a simple and inexpensive method of standardisation within breath research.

Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, SIFT-MS, is a non-separative method for direct quantitative analyses of volatile compounds, VOCs, in air and humid breath based on chemical ionization. Selected reagent ions, either H3O+, NO+ or O2+ (non-reactive with major components of air), ionize analyte molecules during a defined time in a flow tube by ion-molecule reactions thus producing analyte ions that are characteristic of the neutral analyte VOCs. Concentrations can be calculated in real-time from the ion count rates. Direct on-line analysis of single or multiple breath exhalations or off-line analysis of breath samples collected into bags can be performed. Several volatile breath metabolites have been quantified by SIFT-MS, including ammonia, acetone, hydrogen cyanide, alcohols, pentane, acetic acid, methane, and sulphur compounds. Their potential as biomarkers is discussed.

Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) is a chemical ionization technique that offers sensitive, real-time detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) down to trace levels. This chapter briefly introduces the technique and summarizes the recent research into SIFT-MS analyses of exhaled breath and the most pertinent results obtained. The search for single-breath VOCs is illustrated by the online quantification by SIFT-MS of ammonia, acetone, hydrogen cyanide, methanol, pentane, and acetic acid. The breathprint approach to the analysis of SIFT-MS spectra is illustrated by several studies of the exhaled breath of patients with several clinical conditions, including heart failure and liver disease. The results of detailed breath SIFT-MS studies in patients with gastroesophageal cancer indicate that VOC profiling may be suitable in identifying those at high risk of this disease. In vitro studies of the VOCs emitted by pulmonary pathogens illustrate the search for exhaled breath biomarkers of airways colonization by such organisms.

International audience; Comprehensive theoretical models of the Martian ionosphere require reliable kinetic data for ion – molecule reactions over a wide range of temperatures. In situ measurements of the negative ions have not yet been performed and so ion chemical modelling is relied upon, which indicate that nitrite anions, NO2−, are important. Thus, in the present work the gas phase reaction of NO2− with carbon dioxide molecules, CO2, has been studied at the temperatures and energies relevant to the Martian atmosphere. The rate coefficient was measured over the temperature range 220 ± 2 K to 334 ± 2 K using a variable temperature selected ion flow tube (VT-SIFT) instrument. Additionally, a commercial Tandem Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (TQMS) has been exploited to explore the reaction occurring during NO2−/CO2 collisions over the centre-of-mass energies from near-thermal to 6 eV. Two different channels of the reaction were studied. Under the thermal conditions of the VT-SIFT, the reaction is seen to proceed slowly via ternary association ultimately producing CO3– ions, the measured effective ternary rate coefficient in helium being k3 = (3.8 ± 1.5) × 10−30 cm6 s−1 at 220 ± 2 K and k3 = (0.5 ± 0.2) × 10−30 cm6 s−1 at 334 ± 2 K. The effective ternary rate coefficient can be greater in the Martian atmosphere where CO2 is the stabilizing gas. In the TQMS experiment, CO3– production occurs via a binary reaction above a threshold energy of 1.8 ± 0.2 eV. These experimental data can be used to refine the existing ion-chemical models of the Martian atmosphere.

Atomization of hydrides and their methylated analogues in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma atomizer was investigated. Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) was chosen as a detector being capable of selective detection of non-atomized original volatile species allowing thus direct quantification of atomization efficiency. Selenium hydride (SeH2) and three volatile arsenic species, namely arsenic hydride (AsH3), monomethylarsane (CH3AsH2) and dimethylarsane ((CH3)2AsH), were selected as model analytes. The mechanistic study performed contributes to understanding of the atomization processes in atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The presented results are compatible with a complete atomization of arsenic hydride as well as its methylated analogues and with atomization efficiency of SeH2 below 80%. Using AsH3 as a model analyte and a combination of AAS and SIFT-MS detectors has revealed that the hydride is not atomized, but decomposed in the DBD atomizer in absence of hydrogen fraction in the carrier gas. Apart from investigation of analyte atomization, the SIFT-MS detector is capable of quantitative determination of water vapor content being either transported to, or produced in the atomizer. This information is crucial especially in the case of the low-power/temperature DBD atomizer since its performance is sensitive to the amount of water vapor introduced into the plasma.

The era of fossil fuels is slowly nearing its inevitable end and the urgency of alternative energy sources basic research, exploration and testing becomes ever more important. Storage and alternative production of energy from fuels, such as methane, represents one of the many alternative approaches. Natural gas containing methane represents a powerful source of energy producing large volume of greenhouse gases. However, methane can be also produced in closed, CO2-neutral cycles. In our study, we compare detailed chemical composition of CH4 fuel produced in two different processes: Classical production of biogas in a rendering station, industrial wastewater treatment station and landfill gas station together with novel approach of artificial photosynthesis from CO2 over acidic anatase TiO2 in experimental apparatus developed in our laboratory. The analysis of CH4 fuel produced in these processes is important. Trace gaseous traces can be for example corrosive or toxic, low quality of the mixture suppresses effectivity of energy production, etc. In this analysis, we present a combination of two methods: High resolution Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (HR-FTIR) suitable for the main component analysis; and the complementary extremely sensitive method of Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) and gas chromatography (GC–MS), which are in turn best suited for trace analysis. The combination of these methods provides more information than any single of them would be able to and promises a new possible analytical approach to fuel and gaseous mixture analysis.

Rationale The major objective of this exploratory study was to implement selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, SIFT-MS, as a method for the on-line quantification of the volatile organic compounds, VOCs, in the headspace of the ground roasted coffee. Methods The optimal precursor ions and characteristic analyte ions were selected for real-time SIFT-MS quantification of those VOCs that are the most abundant in the headspace or known to contribute to aroma. NO+ reagent ion reactions were exploited for most of the VOC analyses. VOC identifications were confirmed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, GC/MS, coupled with solid-phase microextraction, SPME. Results Thirty-one VOCs were quantified, including several alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters and some heterocyclic compounds. Variations in the concentrations of each VOC in the seven regional coffees were typically less than a factor of 2, yet concentrations patterns characteristic of the different regional coffees were revealed by heat map and principal component analyses. The coefficient of variation in the concentrations across the seven coffees was typically below 24% except for furfural, furan, methylfuran and guaiacol. Conclusions The SIFT-MS analytical method can be used to quantify in real time the most important odoriferous VOCs in ground coffee headspace to sufficient precision to reveal some differences in concentration patterns for coffee produced in different countries.

Analyses of trace amounts of alkene vapours present in exhaled breath are becoming important in clinical research related to inflammatory bowel disease, IBD, currently affecting over 1 million patients in the USA and 2.5 million in Europe. Concentrations of alkenes have been previously found to be different in the breath of IBD patients in comparison with healthy controls and are suggested as potential biomarkers of IBD activity. Thus, a detailed selected ion flow tube, SIFT, study of the reactions of H3O+, NO+ and O2+ with a homologous series of alkenes (from 1-hexene to 1-decene) and with additional isomers of heptene (trans-2-heptene and a mixture of cis- and trans-3-heptene) has been carried out. The rate coefficients of all primary reactions and product ion branching ratios of the reactions of H3O+ and NO+ ions were obtained, which are necessary for accurate quantification of alkenes by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, SIFT-MS. The results of the present study facilitate analyses of these compounds in real breath samples with the ultimate aim of establishing their clinical use.

Rationale Alcohols are often present in foods and other biological media, including exhaled breath, urine and cell culture headspace. For their analysis by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS), the ion chemistry initiated by the reactions of the reagent ions H3 O+ and NO+ with alcohol molecules in the presence of water molecules needs to be understood and quantitatively described. Methods The reactions of H3 O+ and NO+ ions have been studied with the primary alcohols, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol and 1-hexanol, under the conditions used for SIFT-MS analyses (1 Torr He; 0.1 Torr air sample; 300 K) and over a range of sample gas humidity from 1% to 5.5%. Results The H3 O+ reactions led to the formation of protonated alcohol molecules MH+ and their hydrates MH+ (H2 O)1,2,3 and (MH+ -H2 O) fragment ions. The NO+ reactions were observed to proceed mainly via hydride ion transfer, resulting in the formation of [M-H]+ product ions. Formation of the NO+ M adduct ions was also observed due to ligand switching between the NO+ (H2 O)1,2 hydrated reagent ions and M, and via direct NO+ /M association in the case of ethanol. The variation in the percentages of the hydrated product ions with the air sample humidity is reported. Conclusions This detailed study has provided the kinetics data, including the secondary hydrated ion product distributions, for the reactions of a number of volatile primary alcohols with the SIFT-MS reagent ions H3 O+ and NO+ , which allows their analyses by SIFT-MS in humid air and also helps in the interpretation of proton transfer reaction (PTR)-MS data. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The reactions of H3O+, NO+ and O2+ ions with a homologous series of six aliphatic ketones, viz. acetone through 2-octanone, have been investigated in a helium-buffered selected ion flow-drift tube, SIFDT, in order to reveal their dependencies on ion-molecule interaction energies, Er, and to gain insight into their mechanisms. The ultimate motivation is to allow analysis and absolute quantification of trace amounts of ketones and other volatile organic compounds in air using selected ion flow-drift tube mass spectrometry, SIFDT-MS. The reactions of H3O+ with the ketone molecules, M, proceed via exothermic proton transfer producing MH+ ions, the collisional rate coefficients, kc, for which can be calculated as a function of Er and are seen to reduce by about one third over the Er range from 0.05 eV up to 0.5 eV. The rate coefficients, k, and product ion distributions for the NO+ and O2+ reactions with M had to be obtained experimentally relative to the calculated kc for the H3O+ reactions. The product ions of the NO+/ketones reactions initially proceed via the formation of excited (NO+M)* adduct ions that partially fragment, and the k reduces with Er as much as four times for the acetone reactions but remains close to their respective kc for the higher-order ketones indicating long lifetimes of the (NO+M)* ions with respect to the stabilising collision times with He atoms. The k for the O2+/ketones dissociative charge transfer reactions are observed to be greater than their calculated kc implying that long distance electron transfer occurs.

Nalophan bags are commonly used to collect breath samples for volatile metabolite analysis. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from the polymer can, however, be mistaken as breath metabolites when analyses are performed by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, SIFT-MS, or techniques that depend on a proper understanding of ion chemistry. Methods Three analytical techniques were used to analyse the VOCs released into the nitrogen used to expand Nalophan bags, viz. gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), secondary electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SESI-MS) and selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). The most significant VOCs were identified and quantified by SIFT-MS as a function of storage time, temperature and humidity. Results The consistent results obtained by these three analytical methods identify 1,2-ethanediol (ethylene glycol) and 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane as the major VOCs released by the Nalophan. Their concentrations are enhanced by increasing the bag storage temperature and time, reaching 170 parts-per-billion by volume (ppbv) for ethylene glycol and 34 ppbv for 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane in humid nitrogen (absolute humidity of 5%) contained in an 8-L Nalophan bag stored at 37°C for 160 min. Conclusions Using H3 O+ reagent ions for SIFT-MS and SESI-MS analyses, the following analyte ions (m/z values) are affected by the Nalophan impurities: 45, 63, 81, 89 and 99, which can compromise analyses of acetaldehyde, ethylene glycol, monoterpenes, acetoin, butyric acid, hexanal and heptane.

Soft chemical ionization mass spectrometry (SCI-MS) techniques can be used to accurately quantify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air in real time; however, differentiation of isomers still represents a challenge. A suitable pre-separation technique is thus needed, ideally capable of analyses in a few tens of seconds. To this end, a bespoke fast GC with an electrically heated 5 m long metallic capillary column was coupled to a selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) instrument. To assess the performance of this combination a case study of monoterpene isomer (C10H16) analyses was carried out. The monoterpenes were quantified by SIFT-MS using H3O+ reagent ions (analyte ions C10H17+, m/z 137, and C6H9+, m/z 81) and NO+ reagent ions (analyte ions C10H16+, m/z 136, and C7H9+, m/z 93). The combinations of the fragment ion relative intensities obtained using H3O+ and NO+ were shown to be characteristic of the individual monoterpenes. Two non-polar GC columns (Restek Inc.) were tested: the advantage of MXT-1 was shorter retention times whilst the advantage of MXT-Volatiles was better temporal separation. Thus, it is possible to quantify components of a monoterpene mixture in less than 45 s by the MXT-1 column and to separate them in less 180 s by the MXT-Volatiles column. As an illustrative example, the headspace of three conifer needle samples was analysed by both reagent ions with both columns showing that mainly α-pinene, β-pinene and 3-carene were present.

A comparative study has been made of the utility of helium and nitrogen as the carrier gas in selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, SIFT-MS. A most important parameter is shown to be the injection energy, Elab, into the nitrogen carrier gas of the reagent cations H3O+, NO+ and O2+• produced in the microwave discharge ion source. If Elab is too high, partial fragmentation of the reagent ions occurs in the hard collisions with nitrogen molecules, which does not occur to a significant extent in their collisions with lighter helium atoms. Then, the H3O+ ions fragment producing highly reactive ions, including OH+ and H2O+•, that can ionise and dissociate the N2 molecules, and the fraction of the non-dissociated H3O+ can associate with N2 molecules producing H3O+N2 adduct ions. These events promote the production of hydrated hydronium ions, H3O+(H2O)1,2,3, which become dominant even when the carrier gas and sample gas are only a modest humidity. The NO+ reagent ions become electronically excited and partially fragment to either O+• or N+ ions. These events result in their reactions with the N2 molecules producing excessive O2+• ions in the carrier gas. Similarly, the O2+• reagent ions become electronically excited and fragment to O+• ions that react with the N2 molecules producing large fractions of NO+ ions. These processes result in larger fractions of “impurity ions” than are desirable for gas phase analysis using SIFT-MS, which is especially serious for H3O+ reagent ions, but less so for NO+ and O2+•, which can still be used, with caution, for trace gas analysis. It is shown by reducing Elab that fragmentation can be minimised, and it is suggested that by increasing the carrier gas temperature or exploiting drift tube methods, adduct ion formation can be inhibited and thus partially “purify” the reagent ions to approach the situation that pertains to helium carrier gas.

RATIONALE Soft chemical ionisation techniques including selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, SIFT-MS, and proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry, PTR-MS, cannot currently quantify individual isomers present simultaneously in samples, a notable example being atmospheric monoterpenes. A possible solution lies in integrating in-tube collision-induced dissociation, CID, into a selected ion flow-drift tube mass spectrometry, SIFDT-MS, instrument. METHODS In-tube CID was implemented by applying electrostatic potential difference between the resistive glass flow-drift tube downstream end and the nose cone of a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The resulting inhomogeneous electric field accelerates the product ions along the last 1 mm before the nose cone and causes their dissociation in collisions with molecules of the buffer gas (4% air, 96% helium, 2 mbar). Mass spectra of the product ions of NO(+) reactions with 3-carene, β-pinene, (S)-limonene and their mixture were obtained for variable potential difference. RESULTS Potential difference up to 47.7 V resulted in dramatic changes in the mass spectra due to fragmentation of the monoterpene radical molecular cations. The main observed fragments correspond to logical losses from different isomeric structures. Fragmentation increases with the potential difference and can be interpreted as single collision dissociation on air molecules at centre-of-mass energies of several eV. Combination of fragmentation patterns at different CID enables distinction of isomers in the mixture on the basis of pseudoinversion. CONCLUSIONS In-tube CID represents a simple and low-cost extension to SIFDT-MS that allows real-time identification of isomeric products of ion-molecule reactions on the basis of their structural differences and corresponding changes in fragmentation patterns with CID energy without significantly changing the net reaction time important for absolute quantification. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Several compounds were previously identified as being present in modified concentrations in the breath of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, IBD: 2-methylpentane, 1,3,5-triazine, trans-2-octene, cis-2-nonen-1-ol, 2′-methylacetophenone, 1-heptene and 2-hexanone. A selected ion flow tube, SIFT, study has thus been carried out of the reactions of H3O+, NO+ and O2+ with these volatile organic compounds. The rate constants and product ion branching ratios of the primary reactions including three body association rate constants, describing the rate of hydration, were obtained. The results of this study allow accurate SIFT-MS quantification of concentrations of these compounds in exhaled breath of IBD patients with the ultimate aim of establishing their use as non-invasive biomarkers of the disease activity.

The rationale of this study was to quantitatively characterise differences and similarities in the gaseous and volatile components of the decomposition products of 38 types of commercially produced explosives and propellants. A combination of laser-induced breakdown (LIB) and selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) methods was used. The surface of the bulk samples was irradiated by a sequence of 10 laser pulses, 150 mJ each, in an argon atmosphere to simulate the explosion or combustion on a microscopic laboratory scale. The gas from the reaction zone was analysed in real time by SIFT-MS. The concentrations of the decomposition products (NH3, HCN, HCHO, NO, NO2, HONO, HNO3, C2H5OH, CH3CN, DMNB, C2H6CO, C2H2 and nitroglycerine) were determined and statistically processed using multivariate principal component analysis (PCA). The results revealed that there are similarities in the quantitative compositions of the decomposition products for similar explosives and similar propellants. PCA visualisation highlights that characteristic combinations of compounds correspond to the decomposition of nitrocellulose and nitrocellulose-based propellants (including trade mark Lovex), and different combinations correspond to various plastic explosives (trade mark Semtex). The conclusion of this work is that the present methodology can be used for safe and non-destructive studies of characteristic explosion products without the need for the initiation of hazardous quantities of explosives in the form of test charges.