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.