In the described extraction method, the analytes are concentrated for injection into which instrument?

In the described extraction method, the analytes are concentrated for injection into which instrument?

• A. atomic absorption spectrophotometer
• B. mass spectrophotometer
• C. gas chromatograph
• D. infrared spectrometer

Answer: (B)

Concentrating the analytes boosts the signal so they can be detected reliably, and a mass spectrometer provides the most sensitive and specific detection for a wide range of compounds. By ionizing the analytes and measuring their mass-to-charge ratios, MS can identify and quantify trace amounts even in complex matrices, which is exactly what you want after a concentration step. In contrast, an atomic absorption spectrophotometer is tuned for metals and isn’t ideal for many organic analytes; a gas chromatograph is a separation tool and, on its own, isn’t the detector you inject into for identification and quantification; and an infrared spectrometer gives functional-group information but isn’t as sensitive for trace-level analyses.

Concentrating the analytes boosts the signal so they can be detected reliably, and a mass spectrometer provides the most sensitive and specific detection for a wide range of compounds. By ionizing the analytes and measuring their mass-to-charge ratios, MS can identify and quantify trace amounts even in complex matrices, which is exactly what you want after a concentration step.

In contrast, an atomic absorption spectrophotometer is tuned for metals and isn’t ideal for many organic analytes; a gas chromatograph is a separation tool and, on its own, isn’t the detector you inject into for identification and quantification; and an infrared spectrometer gives functional-group information but isn’t as sensitive for trace-level analyses.