Rapid monitoring of volatile organic compounds: selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS)

Abstract

Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) is an analytical mass spectrometry technique that offers real time and rapid identification and quantification of gases in air and human breath, even it is trace amount. This technology is used rapid measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and some inorganic gases. SIFT-MS can be applied in food science, environment, medicine, and health and safety practice. In food science, several studies of volatile compounds in fruit and vegetables, nuts, cocoa and cocoa liquors have been reported. The applications of this technology is allowed to air analysis in following areas; hazardous toxic chemicals in shipping containers, diagnosis of non-invasive diseases through breath analysis and screening urine of workers for levels of toxic compounds. Detection of ppt level of VOCs, real-time ambient air monitoring without any required sample preparation, and the direct analysis of moist samples are considered as the advantages of this technique. However, conflicts in compound identification and quantification between ionized fragments with the same molecular weight are the challenges of SIFT-MS. The aim of this review is point out a new technology for measuring VOCs and outlines some results from several studies to show the application area of SIFT-MS in food science and other areas.