Scigelova M, Kusel D.
An Overview of Scientific Literature
The Orbitrap™ mass analyzer was first described in 2000 and has now reached the status of a mainstream mass spectrometry technique. The key performance characteristics of the Orbitrap mass spectrometer are, above all, easily and routinely achievable ultra-high resolution (> 100,000) and reliable mass accuracy, together with the fact that all these characteristics are available to the user any time without compromising sensitivity. Combination of the Orbitrap detector with an external mass analyzer such as a linear ion trap enables multiple levels of fragmentation (MSn) for the elucidation of analyte structure and allows coupling with continuous ionization sources such as atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source (APCI), electrospray (ESI), nanoelectrospray (NSI), or with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). The analytical performance of the Orbitrap mass spectrometer supports a wide range of applications from routine compound identification to the analysis of trace-level components in complex mixtures, be it in proteomics, drug metabolism, doping control or detection of contaminants in food and feed. Main application areas have been reviewed extensively, and several papers provided insight into the design and operation principles of the analyzer. A publication describing the technological developments implemented in the latest commercially available Orbitrap model, the Thermo Scientific LTQ Orbitrap Velos, has appeared recently. This report attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of the published literature mentioned in the context of various application areas. Due to overwhelming success of the Orbitrap product line, it should be noted that inevitably and regretfully some important publications might have been omitted.
Thermo Fisher Scientific
United States
