Rapid Screening of Vaping Liquids by DaRT-MS.

Introduction:
This text discusses a study that developed and evaluated a multi-analyte method for rapidly screening vaping liquids using Direct analysis in Real-Time Mass Spectrometry (DaRT-MS). The method aimed to detect various substances of concern in vaping liquids quickly and accurately, consuming small amounts of sample, requiring minimal sample preparation and analysis time, employing automated data processing, and providing the necessary sensitivity and selectivity.

Key Points:

* The study developed a DaRT-MS method to screen vaping liquids for substances of concern, including nicotine, cannabinoids, vitamin E acetate (VEa), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and medium chain triglycerides (MCTs).
* Laboratory-fortified samples were evaluated to estimate the method detection limits (MDLs) for the target analytes, which ranged from 0.1% for nicotine in glycerol or PPG 1000 to 5.0% for PEG 400 in cannabis concentrate.
* The DaRT-MS method successfully detected all target analytes in all matrixes evaluated, with results that compared favorably to GC-MS and FTIR for submitted samples.
* The method could not distinguish between certain cannabinoid isomers, such as D8-ThC, D9-ThC, CBC, and CBD.
* The method was used to screen and characterize approximately 500 vaping liquid samples submitted as part of the investigation into the EVaLI outbreak in the United States in 2019-2020.
* The study demonstrates the potential of DaRT-MS as a rapid screening tool for vaping liquids in laboratories or during investigations where sample triage is necessary.
* The method may be easily expanded to include additional target substances as they are discovered or deemed necessary.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential of DaRT-MS as a rapid screening tool for vaping liquids, providing a fast, sensitive, and selective method to detect various substances of concern. The study demonstrates the successful application of the method during the EVaLI outbreak investigation, suggesting that DaRT-MS could play a critical role in future investigations or laboratory settings where sample triage is necessary. however, the study also highlights the limitations of the method, such as the inability to distinguish between certain cannabinoid isomers, suggesting that further optimization is necessary. Overall, the study underscores the importance of developing and utilizing rapid screening methods for vaping liquids to ensure public safety.

Falconer TM, Morales-Garcia F. Rapid Screening of Vaping Liquids by DaRT-MS. Journal of aOaC International. 2023;106(2):436-444. doi:10.1093/jaoacint/qsac103