CHAPTER 20: Liquid Extraction Surface Analysis Mass Spectrometry (LESA MS): Combining Liquid Extraction, Surface Profiling and Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry in One Novel Analysis Technique

In this chapter we give an overview of liquid extraction surface analysis mass spectrometry (LESA-MS), a novel analysis technique that combines liquid extraction from a surface of interest and ambient nanoelectrospray ionization combined with mass spectrometry to analyze compounds of interest. LESA MS was first described by van Berkel and Kertesz in 2009 and subsequently made commercially available by Advion Inc. by way of its TriVersa-NanoMate™ robotic nanoelectrospray ionization source. LESA was initially intended as a complementary analysis technique to MALDI imaging in pharmaceutical drug distribution and development; however, soon after the commercial availability of this technique, a broader use became apparent with applications ranging from biofilms on contact lenses, antibiotics expressed by bacteria cultured in agar, dried blood spot analysis, surface properties of aged plastics and aerosols from compactor material – to mention only a few. In this chapter, we will discuss selected applications and provide an outlook of LESA developments as they currently unfold, knowing full well that such a new technology will develop unexpectedly and in application areas not previously envisioned.