Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Detection of Toxins in Complex Matrices

Mass spectrometry has emerged as the method of choice for unequivocal detection and quantification of a broad spectrum of toxic compounds in complex sample types such as food, environmental specimens and clinical matrices. Advances in ionisation techniques—most notably electrospray ionisation (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI)—coupled with high-resolution mass analysers now enable the identification of toxins at trace levels against challenging backgrounds. Integration of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) platforms with targeted workflows offers robust monitoring of known toxins, while untargeted and data-independent acquisition modes allow the discovery of novel harmful substances. Critical to performance are sample preparation strategies, which range from solid-phase extraction and immunoaffinity capture to innovative glycoprotein or aptamer-based enrichment, ensuring that low-abundance analytes are selectively isolated from protein-rich, lipid-laden or particulate suspensions. Bottom-up proteomic techniques facilitate peptide mapping of proteinaceous toxins, whereas small-molecule toxins and their biomarkers—such as ricinine and abrine—are analysed via characteristic fragmentation patterns. Rigorous calibration and isotope-dilution methods further enhance quantitative accuracy in diverse matrices. Together, these developments support faster turnaround, greater sensitivity and higher specificity, underpinning applications in food safety, environmental monitoring, public health surveillance and forensic toxicology worldwide.

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Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Detection of Toxins in Complex Matrices publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in mass spectrometry techniques for detection of toxins in complex matrices across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Enrichment: a preparative process that isolates target analytes from complex samples to improve sensitivity and reduce interferences.

Bottom-up proteomics: an approach in which proteins are enzymatically digested into peptides for identification and quantification by mass spectrometry.

Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS): an analytical technique that separates compounds chromatographically before sequential mass analysis for enhanced specificity.

Electrospray ionisation (ESI): a soft ionisation method that generates charged droplets from liquid samples, enabling transfer of intact analytes into the gas phase for mass analysis.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI): an ionisation technique using a laser-absorbing matrix to desorb and ionise analytes from solid samples with minimal fragmentation.

Biomarker: a molecular indicator, such as ricinine or abrine, whose presence and concentration reflect exposure to a specific toxin.

References

1. Rapid detection of ricin at trace levels in complex matrices by asialofetuin-coated beads and bottom-up proteomics using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (2024).
2. Recommended Mass Spectrometry-Based Strategies to Identify Ricin-Containing Samples. Toxins (2015).
3. Quantification of Ricinine and Abrine in Human Plasma by HPLC–MS-MS: Biomarkers of Exposure to Ricin and Abrin. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2018).