Mass Spectrometry Sample Authentication via Ionization Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying and authenticating complex samples, such as foodstuffs and pharmaceutical compositions, are time-consuming and laborious due to interference effects from sample components, leading to ion suppression or enhancement phenomena in mass spectrometry, which affect detection accuracy and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the addition of compounds with variable ionization to the sample, where the level of these compounds is determined after addition, and compared to a reference level to identify the sample based on the effect of the sample on the compound's ionization, allowing for rapid and reliable identification without needing to determine all components of the sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If comprehensive sample analysis methods are used to identify complex samples, then identification accuracy is improved, but analysis time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for identification by adding specific test compounds and measuring their ionization levels, rather than analyzing all sample components. This selective approach extracts the minimum necessary data to achieve accurate identification while dramatically reducing analysis time from 30 minutes to less than 3 minutes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from comprehensive component analysis to ionization level measurement of added compounds. By monitoring how sample components affect the ionization of test compounds (ion suppression or enhancement effects), the system achieves rapid identification without determining all sample constituents.
2Reliability
If comprehensive sample analysis is performed to account for matrix effects, then detection reliability is improved, but sample preparation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful matrix effects (ion suppression and enhancement) into beneficial identification markers. Instead of trying to eliminate these effects through complex sample preparation, the method adds test compounds and uses the matrix-induced changes in their ionization levels as the basis for sample identification, thereby simplifying preparation while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces test compounds as intermediaries between the sample matrix and the detection system. These compounds mediate the interaction by allowing the matrix effects to be measured in a controlled manner through ionization level changes, providing reliable detection without requiring complex direct analysis of all sample components.
3Measurement precision
If isotope labeled standards and high-resolution mass spectrometry are used to achieve accurate quantification, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and instrument complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive isotope labeled standards with simple, inexpensive test compounds that do not require isotopic labeling. The method achieves sufficient measurement precision for identification purposes using readily available compounds and standard mass spectrometry instrumentation, eliminating the need for costly specialized reagents and high-resolution instruments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables fast and accurate identification of samples by leveraging ion suppression or enhancement effects, reducing analysis time from 30 minutes to less than 3 minutes, eliminating the need for isotope labeled standards and high-resolution mass spectrometry, and simplifying sample preparation, while maintaining high accuracy and robustness.
Implementation Method 1
the sample has an ion suppression, or has an ion enhancement effect on the at least one compound
Implementation Method 2
the sample has an ion suppression, or has an ion enhancement effect on the at least one compound
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for identifying and/or authenticating a sample, comprising adding at least one chemical compound to the sample, determining a level of the at least one compound after addition to the sample; comparing the level of the at least one compound to a reference level and identifying the sample based on the comparison with the reference sample and the effect of the sample on the level of the at least one compound. The invention further relates to the use of the at least one compound in the method for identifying and/or authenticating a sample. Further, the invention relates to the use of a kit comprising the at least one compound in the inventive method. In addition, the invention relates to a composition comprising the at least one compound. Further, the invention relates to a kit comprising the compositions provided herein, e.g. for calibrating the methods provided herein and/or the instruments employed in the methods provided herein.