[ANALYSIS-FIN-LEC-01] MASS SPECTROMETRY

Mass Spectrometry

An analytical technique used to identify chemical substances by measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of ions.

Ionization

The process in which neutral molecules are converted into charged particles before analysis.

Mass Analyzer

The component of the mass spectrometer responsible for separating ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio.

Detector

The part of the instrument that records ions and converts them into an electrical signal for analysis.

Mass Spectrum

The graphical output of mass spectrometry that displays ion intensity versus mass-to-charge ratio.

J.J. Thomson

The British physicist who discovered the electron and developed the first mass spectrograph.

Francis William Aston

The British scientist who improved the mass spectrometer and studied isotopes with high accuracy.

Electrospray Ionization (ESI)

A soft ionization technique commonly used for analyzing proteins and other biological molecules.

Clinical Diagnostics

The application of mass spectrometry used to detect drugs, toxins, or metabolic compounds in biological samples.

Forensic Science

The field that uses mass spectrometry to identify drugs or chemicals in criminal investigations.

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

A technique used to detect metals by measuring light absorption.

Alan Walsh

Scientist who introduced the principle of measuring atoms by absorbed light in the 1950s.

1955

Year when Alan Walsh published the first paper outlining the principles of AAS.

Atomizer

Part of the instrument that converts the sample into free atoms.

Nebulizer

Device that transforms liquid samples into a fine mist.

Monochromator

Component that isolates the specific wavelength absorbed by the element.

Destructive Technique

Type of technique where the sample is consumed during analysis.

Detector

Component that measures absorbed light and converts it into a signal.

Metal and Metalloid Analysis

Type of analysis AAS is mainly suited for (metals or non-metals).

FDA and ICH

Regulatory bodies that set limits for metal impurities in pharmaceuticals.

Gas Chromatography

A technique used to separate, identify, and quantify volatile and semi-volatile compounds.

Mikhail Tsvet

The scientist who introduced column chromatography to separate plant pigments (1903–1906).

Carrier Gas System

The part of the GC that provides the mobile phase and transports the sample through the column.

Separation Column

The “heart of GC” where separation of compounds takes place.

Detector

The component that detects separated compounds and produces peaks in a chromatogram.

Flame Ionization Detector

The detector known for highly sensitive detection of organic compounds (introduced in 1958).

Residual Solvent Testing

The pharmaceutical use of GC that analyzes volatile organic solvents according to ICH guidelines.

Column Oven

The part of the GC that maintains proper temperature to ensure vaporization and prevent condensation of analytes.

Data System/Recorder

The component that converts detector signals into a chromatogram for identification and quantification.

Sample Injection System

The part of the GC responsible for introducing the sample and instantly vaporizing liquid samples using a heated injector.