Perspective on SPME-MS: Green and high-performance methods for rapid screening

The direct coupling of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with mass spectrometry (MS) offers rapid analysis with high sensitivity and low matrix effects by benefiting from the integration of sampling, high enrichment, and clean-up functions of SPME. Eliminating chromatographic separation reduces the amount of gas/solvent needed for analysis, while direct desorption in SPME-MS consumes none or few microliters of organic solvents per sample, further enhancing the greenness of the SPME technology. Over the past two decades, the rapid evolution of SPME-MS has given rise to numerous novel technologies that employ diverse ionization techniques and interfaces, several of which have already been commercialized. Drawing from an extensive review published earlier this year and our research experience, we provide perspectives on three aspects of these technologies: interface design and automation, integration with state-of-art MS instrumentation, and anticipated future developments.