A new approach to determine salicylic acid in human urine and blood plasma based on negative electrospray ion mobility spectrometry after selective separation using a molecular imprinted polymer

► Analysis of salicylic acid (SA) without tedious derivatization was done by ESI-IMS. ► Ion mobility spectrum of SA and its reduced mobility are reported for the first time. ► Standard addition method was used to cope with the matrix effect in plasma and urine analysis.