Rapid characterization of biomaterials by field ionization

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Abstract
The direct application of field ionization to complex biomaterials is described. Volatiles are characterized by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Complex involatile materials are investigated by thermal degradation in high vacuum. The methodology and typical analytical features of pyrolysis of biopolymers and soft ionization of their pyrolysates in the high electric field are described. The combination of direct, in‐source pyrolysis mass spectrometry and pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry is used in two steps. Firstly, for fast profiling of the complex materials and, secondly, for identification of significant products of the controlled thermal degradation process. In particular, temperature programmed/time‐resolved pyrolysis field ionization mass spectrometry has been shown to be an efficient analytical tool as demonstrated for typical examples such as chitin, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, wood, peat and coal. Recent results on foodstuffs such as coffee, chocolate, tea and biscuits illustrate the potential of the combined methods for routine work.