Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry: a Powerful Tool for Fast Analysis

Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) is one of the variants of ambient mass spectrometry. Theionization process of DART-MS is in open environment and only takes few seconds, so it is suitable for fast analysis. Actually,since its introduction in 2005, more and more attentions have been drawn to its various applications due to its excellent properties,e.g., fast analysis, and no or less sample preparation, high salt tolerance and so on. This review summarized the promisingfeatures of DART-MS, including its ionization mechanism, equipment modification, wide applications, coupling techniques andextraction strategies before analysis.