Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Chromatographic Science Series Volume 79W.M.A. Niessen Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, 634 pp, ISBN 0-8247-1936-0 $195.00 (1999). Reviewed by Bob Ardrey University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK |
The first edition of this book appeared in 1992 since when there have been major developments both in the hardware used for LC-MS and the acceptance of the technique as mature.
This volume therefore provides a timely, and comprehensive, description of the current situation. Although published in 1999 the references included in the second edition would suggest coverage of the literature to early 1998.
The current practice of LC-MS is reflected in the fact that the moving belt and direct liquid introduction interfaces now appear in a separate chapter entitled “History of LC-MS”.
The book is conveniently divided into four sections: a general introduction to LC and to MS and the considerations of interfacing the two techniques; a description of interface technology; applications; and finally a section devoted to SFC-MS and CE-MS.
A significant part of the book is devoted to the interfaces now used extensively (thermospray, electrospray and APCI) although the particle-beam and continuous flow FAB interfaces are certainly not ignored. The three former interfaces all effect ionisation directly from solution and a comprehensive description of the current understanding of the ionisation mechanisms involved is provided. The treatment of these mechanisms is of value as they are clearly related to the conditions used to optimise separations.
An “Operation and optimization” section is to be found for each interface and this will be of considerable value to those new practitioners of LC-MS.
A section is devoted to “Recent developments”. These include “sonic spray”, the use of ToF mass analysers and continuous flow MALDI and this section provides a starting point for readers who wish to explore this area more fully.
The applications section has been much expanded compared to the first edition. Sections are devoted to environmental, pharmaceutical, natural products and endogenous compounds, biochemical and “miscellaneous” applications. With the current use of LC-MS it is very difficult to choose applications and it is not clear how the topics have been chosen but there is something here for everyone. Even if your precise application is not here I would suggest that there is sufficient information here to provide an indication of the most likely methodology which needs to be employed.
In these sections the use of the different interfaces is compared. This is a very valuable approach as most of the interfaces commercially available have been used for many applications.
I have to say that there are more typographical errors than I would have expected but those that I found were no more than a minor irritation.
This volume is a worthwhile addition to the bookshelves of anyone seriously interested in LC-MS, whether they are already a practitioner or whether they are contemplating using the technique for the first time although the price is likely to deter personal purchasers.
Buy this book from