Mass spectrometry is a robust bioanalytical tool offering higher accuracy and sensitivity. Recent technological advancements in mass spectrometry services have resulted in a broad range of applications, such as the BNP test for understanding heart health. With a wide range of highly sensitive and high-throughput instruments, mass spectrometry service companies are increasingly expanding their range of solutions. Today, mass spectrometry analysis services have different types of mass spectrometers at their disposal. The current article explores five of these mass spec services.
Triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (TQMS)
This system is a tandem unit where the first and third act as filters while the second is a collision cell to fragment primary precursor ions into secondary ions. TQMS is a simple and easy-to-use system offering lower costs and good reproducibility. These features make them one of the widely used tandem mass spectrometers. TQMS can generate fragmentation patterns and help scientists elucidate the structural properties of a compound. Besides, they generate quantitative data. Additionally, increased specificity and sensitivity have made TQMS ideal for clinical research, pharmaceutical development, and environmental studies.
Matrix assisted-laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass-spectrometry MALDI-TOF/MS
MALDI-TOF-MS is another common MS technique. This technique employs a laser as a soft ionization tool to generate ions with minimal fragmentation. An electric field accelerates protonated ions and makes them have similar kinetic energy as other ions with the same charge. The detector identifies the velocity of an ion and the time it takes to reach the detector. This velocity depends on the mass-to-charge ratio of the individual component. MALDI-TOF/MS can evaluate multiple biomolecules, including carbohydrates and peptides.
Quadrupole trap-mass spectrometry services
This hybrid triple mass spectrometer is slightly different from the classical triple quadrupole MS unit. The Q3 in quadrupole trap mass spectrometry can work both as a standard quarter of all mass filters and a linear ion trap compared to traditional 3D ion traps. Besides, this unit has traditional functions such as selected reaction monitoring and applications in sensitive and trap experiments.
Hybrid linear ion trap orbitrap MS
This system is a combination of high-resolution orbitrap and linear ion trap. The linear ion trap employs quadruple rods to restrict ions radially and then uses static electricity to restrict the ions axially. On the other hand, the orbitrap makes the ions move in an orbital motion around the spindle with the help of an axially symmetrical mass analyzer. A Fourier transform detects the image current and converts it into a mass spectrum. Hybrid linear ion trap orbitrap MS is used widely in metabolomics and proteomic studies.
Quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry
Quadrupole orbitrap MS is a combination of high-performance and high-resolution quadrupole precursor selection and accurate mass orbitrap detection. The primary mass analyzer is a quadrupole followed by a secondary high-resolution orbitrap. This system has applications in multiple areas, such as metabolomics, proteomics, toxicology, and food safety. Most mass spectrometry services can offer quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry solutions for numerous research needs.
In conclusion
Different mass spectrometry solutions have resulted in several applications. Sponsors can identify the individual requirements and then opt for different types of mass spectrometry services.
