Combination of electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure photoionization and laser desorption ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotronic resonance mass spectrometry for the investigation of complex mixtures – Application to the petroleomic analysis of bio-oils

• Published in: Analytica chimica acta 2017-05, Vol.969, p.26-34
• Main Authors: Hertzog, Jasmine, Carré, Vincent, Le Brech, Yann, Mackay, Colin Logan, Dufour, Anthony, Mašek, Ondřej, Aubriet, Frédéric
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Atmospheric Pressure; Bio-oils; Chemical and Process Engineering; Chemical Sciences; Complex Mixtures - chemistry; Engineering Sciences; Fourier Analysis; Mass Spectrometry; Non-targeted analysis; Petroleomic approach; Plant Oils - chemistry; Polyphenols - chemistry; Quercus; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry
• ISSN: 0003-2670; 1873-4324
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2017.03.022

The comprehensive description of complex mixtures such as bio-oils is required to understand and improve the different processes involved during biological, environmental or industrial operation. In this context, we have to consider how different ionization sources can improve a non-targeted approach. Thus, the Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) has been coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI), laser desorption ionization (LDI) and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) to characterize an oak pyrolysis bio-oil. Close to 90% of the all 4500 compound formulae has been attributed to CxHyOz with similar oxygen class compound distribution. Nevertheless, their relative abundance in respect with their double bound equivalent (DBE) value has evidenced significant differences depending on the ion source used. ESI has allowed compounds with low DBE but more oxygen atoms to be ionized. APPI has demonstrated the efficient ionization of less polar compounds (high DBE values and less oxygen atoms). The LDI behavior of bio-oils has been considered intermediate in terms of DBE and oxygen amounts but it has also been demonstrated that a significant part of the features are specifically detected by this ionization method. Thus, the complementarity of three different ionization sources has been successfully demonstrated for the exhaustive characterization by petroleomic approach of a complex mixture. [Display omitted] •Non-targeted mass spectrometry by combining electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure photoionization and laser/desorption ionization.•Exhaustive description of pyrolytic bio-oil components.•Distinction of sugaric derivatives, lignin derivatives and lipids contained in a woody-based pyrolytic bio-oil.