Feasibility for a PFAS Screening Protocol by Matrix- Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry

User Benefits

- Screen/identify high concentration samples before they enter the analytical workflow, thereby reducing the risk of contamination in sensitive LC-MS/MS equipment. - Minimal sample preparation prior to acquisition. - Fast pre-screen allows suitable dilution of sample to achieve LC-MS/MS results on first acquisition.

Introduction

Following the development of a simple, cost-effective method for the detection of PFAS in aqueous samples using an entry level linear benchtop MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer, here we evaluate the use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry as a PFAS sample screening tool to assist in preventing contamination of highly sensitive LC-MS/MS systems by detecting high PFAS concentrations in samples prior to LC-MS/MS analysis. For the development of a viable screening method, it must be possible to determine which samples are too concentrated with a good degree of accuracy. This requires approximate determination of concentration by peak intensity or peak area relative to either a standard calibration curve or as a simple ratio to an internal standard peak.

May 11, 2026 GMT