Analysis of cigarette smoke by laser desorption mass spectrometry

Laser desorption ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometry (LDI-FTICRMS) has been successfully applied for the characterization of tobacco smokes. The versatily of analysis allows inorganic and organic tobacco smoke constituents to be identified. As a function of ion detection mode and laser irradiance experimental conditions, inorganic nitrate and sulfate as well as nicotine and associated nicotine, tobacco-specific nitrosamine, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, polyoxygenated compounds are highlighted. The high mass resolution and the high mass accuracy attained by LDI-FTICRMS measurements allow the unambiguous assignment of detected species for m/z < 250 to be achieved.