Preface

Among the analytical techniques, mass spectrometry is one of the commanding analytical tools, which can be used for illuminating the structure and chemical properties of different molecules, identifying unknown compounds within a sample, and quantifying the concentration of known materials, etc. In recent years it has been used as a powerful analytical tool in biological chemistry, specifically in proteins, oligonucleotides, oligosaccharides, and lipids. Apart from this, it is also used for food toxicity, cancer cells, analysis of availability of minerals in food, and pharmaceutical drug analysis.

Today's world faces many challenges in the fields of life sciences, metabolism, food, health, pharmaceuticals, as well as the environment. It has been widely illustrated that mass spectrometric techniques, including MALDI, tandem mass spectrometry, ion cyclotron resonance and Fourier transform mass spectrometry, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrophotometry and Fourier transform mass spectrometry, etc. have shown a significant role in major challenges and innovations in both technology and practical applications. Because of its characterization, mass spectrometry is being used in unlimited potential applications in cancer cells, material characterization, marine biology, organic synthesis, and food analysis.

As editor of this book, I wish to express my sincere thanks to all authors, scientists, researchers, and publishers who generously contributed their research work. My thanks are extended to my PhD research guide Professor M.A. Anuse, Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University Kolhapur, for his constant support. I am also indebted to my postdoctoral research supervisor Professor Yong-Chien Ling, Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, from whom I took inspiration to complete tasks on mass spectrometry.

In spite of all efforts, mistakes or uncertain reports may remain within the text. Mistakes are human traits, but they do not undervalue the scientific or educational worth of a book. Therefore, it is requested that errors are reported to me so that corrections can be made in future editions. Hopefully, *Mass Spectrometry—Future Perceptions and Applications* will introduce many facets of mass spectrometry and give comprehensive information on sustained progressive research and applications.

> **Dr. Ganesh S. Kamble** Kolhapur Institute of Technology's College of Engineering (Autonomous), Kolhapur, India

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Section 1

Mass Spectrometer and

Techniques
