Detection and Analysis of Seed-Based Toxins using Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) and its Variants

Published

January 2, 2022

Author(s)

Edward Sisco, Natalie Damaso, Liz Robinson, James Robertson, Thomas P. Forbes

Abstract

Detection of seed-based toxins is a need for forensic chemists when suspected poisonings occur. In these instances, seeds are often first mashed to extract the toxins, eliminating the ability to identify the seed, and therefore toxin, based on physical features. This work investigates potential strategies for rapid detection of seed-based toxins using chemical signatures obtained by direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS). Seven toxins (digoxin, digitoxin, hypaconitine, hyoscyamine, lanatoside, oleandrin, and scopolamine) and six seeds containing these toxins were studied. While detection of four of the toxins was readily attainable, detection of digoxin, digitoxin, and lanatoside was hindered by the inability to thermally desorb these larger compounds under normal operating conditions. The use of DART-MS variants capable of higher temperature analysis (thermal desorption (TD)-DART-MS and infrared thermal desorption ((IRTD)-DART-MS) unlocked detection of these compounds. The low-level toxin concentrations and limited number of seeds available for analysis led to detection difficulties from both seed mashes and alcoholic seed mash extracts. Principal component analysis (PCA) of generated mass spectra enabled differentiation of seed species, even in the cases when the toxins were undetectable.

Citation

Science & Justice

Volume

62

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2021.12.004

Local Download

Keywords

Toxins, DART-MS, Mass Spectrometry, Detection, TD-DART-MS, IRTD-DART-MS

Citation

Sisco, E. , Damaso, N. , Robinson, L. , Robertson, J. and Forbes, T. (2022), Detection and Analysis of Seed-Based Toxins using Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) and its Variants, Science & Justice, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2021.12.004, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=932487 (Accessed April 30, 2024)