Knowledge Base

Learn more about the power of trace gas analysis using SIFT-MS. Download our latest brochures, application notes and white papers or watch an application-focused video. Questions? Contact us!

This technical note explores advancements in utilizing alternative solvents for SIFT-MS, emphasizing updates from 2024. It introduces three new solvents—acetonitrile, N,N'-dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU), and propylene glycol (PG)—and highlights the enhanced sensitivity and applications of existing solvents like triacetin. The findings demonstrate significant benefits in analyzing diverse volatile organic compounds (VOCs) while addressing challenges in method development, such as solvent-specific carryover and partitioning behaviors.

This study demonstrates that headspace-SIFT-MS meets United States Pharmacopeia (USP) criteria for six nitrosamines, achieving low limits of quantitation (0.06 ppm for NDMA and 0.03 ppm for NDEA) even in complex drug matrices. With high recovery rates and significant reductions in solvent usage, consumables, and operational complexity compared to traditional chromatographic methods, the Syft Tracer Pharm11 solution is an efficient screening tool for nitrosamines and volatile impurities.

This application note demonstrates the use of SIFT-MS to optimize the Method of Standard Additions (MoSA) for quantifying volatile impurities in complex matrices such as emulsions. SIFT-MS significantly reduces costs by increasing sample throughput, enabling simultaneous analysis of diverse functionalities, and supporting a wide range of analytes and matrices with a single instrument configuration. The study highlights the efficient analysis of toxic volatile impurities—benzene, 1,4-dioxane, and formaldehyde—in various consumer products and its impact on improving analytical workflows.

This application note highlights the use of SIFT-MS for the rapid and efficient analysis of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane in pharmaceutical excipients, as outlined in USP Chapter <228>. SIFT-MS streamlines this workflow by eliminating matrix-matched preparation and reducing run times, achieving 9- to 14-fold higher throughput while maintaining high analytical sensitivity. Additionally, SIFT-MS requires 10 times less sample per analysis, making it a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to GC methods.

Watch Dr. Vaughan Langford present "Application of Direct-Injection Mass Spectrometry to Rapid Aroma Screening: Food and Packaging Case Studies" at IFFC 2024. Learn about how SIFT-MS provides fast, reliable targeted and untargeted analysis for food and packaging samples.

This application note describes how SIFT-MS was used to simultaneously detect 26 VOCs during coffee bean roasting from three locations: the roasting room air, the exhaust stack (pre-filtration), and the exhaust exit (post-filtration). The results showed significant reductions (3-62-fold) in emissions following the wet-scrubber filtration and demonstrate SIFT-MS as a reliable solution for real-time emissions testing.

This app note describes how SIFT-MS was used to measure short-lived odor species given off by a blooming titan arum flower during the spring of 2024. Seven odorous VOCs were identified from full-scan data taken from within the blooming flower and compared with air surrounding the flower from three days prior to bloom. Results suggest that dimethyl disulfide is responsible for the constant mild stink that the flower gives off, while the other VOCs that were elevated only when in bloom are responsible for the rotting flesh characteristic commonly described with this type of flower.

This eChalk Talk hosted by AAPS on Oct 16, 2024 discusses an alternative method in development for the quantitation of residual EtO using SIFT-MS which provides real-time results. This method takes a typically two-day protocol for sample preparation and analysis and provides the same quantitative result in under two hours, including blanks and system suitability solutions.

Get a sneak peek at the production processes at Syft Technologies which ensure that every instrument delivered meets the highest standard of quality.

Read about Syft's latest developments, applications, product releases and events over the past quarter.  Learn about our real-time solutions for environmental monitoring, detecting nitrosamines in aqueous solutions, and much more!

View the plenary talk given on August 23rd at IMSC 2024 in Melbourne, Australia by Dr. Vaughan Langford entitled, "SIFT-MS: Ion-Molecule Chemistry Coupled with Mass Spectrometry for Real-World Applications." Learn about the history of SIFT-MS and the ion chemistry that makes real-time trace gas analysis possible.

This study demonstrates that automated SIFT-MS analysis, using an untargeted approach, coupled with multivariate statistical analysis, can rapidly analyze and classify genuine Parmesan cheese products both individually and by manufacturer.  The combined instrumental and statistical approach determines factory of origin with a throughput of 12 samples per hour.