Semiquantitative multielemental analysis of biological samples by a laser ionization orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer

Semiquantitative multielemental analyses of biological samples (tea leaf standard, Laminaria japonica, and pig skin) were demonstrated with a newly developed laser ionization orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LI-O-TOFMS). The sample was directly ablated and ionized with high irradiance after simple sample preparation. Relative sensitivity coefficients (RSC) were calculated and evaluated for sensitivity differences. Due to the employment of a collisional cooling device and the orthogonal geometry of the TOF system, high resolving power can be obtained, such that elemental peaks and interferential peaks with the same nominal mass can be distinguished. The detection limit of microg g(-1) levels can be commonly achieved for elemental determination.