Anion Exchange Chromatography Coupled to Electrospray-Mass Spectrometry: An Efficient Tool for Food, Environment, and Biological Analysis.

This study focuses on anion exchange chromatography coupled to electrospray-mass spectrometry: an efficient tool for food, environment, and biological analysis.. The research employs high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques to address analytical challenges in the food safety field. For over 50 years, ion chromatography has been demonstrated to be a successful technique used to quantify a wide range of ions and ionizable compounds, either organic or inorganic, in various matrices using conductimetric or electrochemical detection. It was only since 1996 that ion chromatography was coupled to electrospray-mass spectrometry,... Research Background and Significance Anion exchange chromatography (AEC) coupled with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) represents a powerful analytical approach for the detection and quantification of ionic species in complex matrices. Over the past five decades, ion chromatography (IC) has established itself as a robust technique for analyzing a wide variety of inorganic and organic ions, primarily using conductimetric or electrochemical detection methods. However, these detection modes often lack the specificity and sensitivity required for trace-level analysis and structural elucidation, especially in complex food, environmental, and biological samples. Since 1996, the coupling of ion chromatography with electrospray-mass spectrometry has expanded analytical capabilities by providing enhanced selectivity, sensitivity, and molecular-level information. This integration is particularly significant in food safety analysis, where accurate detection of trace ionic contaminants and additives is crucial for regulatory compliance and consumer protection. The study by Bigard et al. (2023) highlights the evolution and valida