Non-volatile analysis in fruits by laser resonant ionization spectrometry: application to resveratrol (3,5,4 -trihydroxystilbene) in grapes

Applied Physics B Lasers and Optics, vol.71

A laser desorption (LD) coupled with resonanceenhanced multiphoton ionisation (REMPI) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) technique for non-volatile trace analysis compounds is presented. Essential features are: (a)an enhanced desorption yield due to the mixing of metal powder with the analyte in the sample preparation, (b) a high resolution, great sensitivity and low detection limit due to laser resonant ionisation and mass spectrometry detection. Application to resveratrol content in grapes demonstrated the capability of the analytical method with a sensitivity of 0.2 pg per single laser shot and a detection limit of 5 ppb.