Mass spectrometry in the age of green analytical chemistry

Abstract

The concept of green analytical chemistry (GAC) has been established and recognized by the analytical chemist community. The 12 principles of GAC are acknowledged as common guidance for the optimization of the development of analytical chemistry methodologies toward environmental friendliness. Mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the most essential instrumentation tools in modern analytical chemistry. It plays a fundamental role in a wide range of research areas as well as in daily life, from the bleeding edge of biomedical science to the authentication of our everyday food. The widespread use of MS makes it a necessary part of the development of GAC. In this review article, GAC and the SIGNIFICANCE principles will be briefly introduced and their relevance to MS will be debated. Mass spectrometry intrinsically complies with GAC, while there is also much room for further green improvement. Aspects, where contradictions lie between MS and GAC, will be focused on, namely sample preparation, energy consumption, throughput, and usage of solvent. Employment or optimization of MS regarding these aspects will be discussed. Ambient MS, as the MS technique most in line with GAC currently, will be highlighted. This review aims to bring more awareness of GAC to the communities of MS and calls for the application of green MS over a wider area.