SICRIT® Plug & Play Soft Ionization

Importance of the Topic

Soft ionization approaches that separate sample introduction from ion generation are transforming mass spectrometry. By minimizing in-source fragmentation and transfer losses, they improve sensitivity, selectivity and throughput. The SICRIT® method exemplifies this advance, enabling real-time detection of volatile and semi-volatile compounds in diverse fields from quality control to environmental monitoring.

Objectives and Overview of the Article

This article presents the principles, instrumentation, performance and application scope of SICRIT® (Soft Ionization by Chemical Reaction in Transfer), a patented flow-through cold-plasma ionization source. It aims to demonstrate how SICRIT® integrates with existing mass spectrometers and chromatographic interfaces, and to summarize key analytical results and use cases.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The core of SICRIT® is a capillary-confined cold plasma that generates reagent ions downstream of the sample inlet. Analytes are drawn through the plasma before entering the MS, reducing charge repulsion and neutralization losses typical in conventional sources. The system comprises:

• SICRIT® SC-20X ionization set with control unit and ion source
• Interfaces for major LC-MS platforms (Thermo, Agilent, Sciex; others on request)
• Optional GC/SPME module for direct coupling with gas chromatography or SPME fibers

No special sample preparation or ionization tuning is required. The plug-and-play design supports LC, GC and direct headspace analysis.

Main Results and Discussion

Performance evaluations demonstrated sub-ppt detection limits for pesticides, illicit drugs and aroma compounds. Key findings include:

• Online screening of >300 coffee bean volatiles in under one second
• GC-soft-ionization-MS analysis of 28 pesticides in water with LODs down to 30 pg/mL
• Direct SPME-MS detection of drugs at 0.3 pg/mL without chromatographic separation

These results confirm enhanced sensitivity, broadened analyte coverage (primarily MH+ species) and rapid response suitable for reaction monitoring and contamination screening.

Benefits and Practical Applications

SICRIT® offers multiple advantages:

• Seamless integration with existing MS instruments
• Compatibility with LC, GC, SPME and direct-scan workflows
• Ultrasensitive detection without complex tuning or prep
• Expanded analytical freedom for quality control, food safety, forensics, emission monitoring and more

Users can convert standard mass spectrometers into highly sensitive electronic noses or hybrid analytical platforms.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Emerging directions for SICRIT® include:

• Automated high-throughput screening in industrial quality control
• On-site environmental and emissions monitoring with portable or hybrid systems
• Integration with microfluidics and reaction-bioprocess monitoring
• Advanced non-targeted analysis leveraging soft ionization for unknowns discovery

As data-driven analytics and machine learning expand, SICRIT®’s real-time profiling capabilities will gain further relevance.

Conclusion

SICRIT® technology represents a significant leap in soft ionization mass spectrometry. By decoupling ion generation from sample delivery, it achieves superior sensitivity, broader analyte coverage and flexible coupling to chromatography and sampling modules. Its plug-and-play design and sub-ppt detection levels open new analytical possibilities across research, industry and regulatory sectors.

Reference

• Pesticide GC-MS analysis using SICRIT®, Analyst 2017, 142, 1909.
• SPME-MS drug screening with SICRIT®, Anal. Chem. 2016, 88, 7252.