Swab spray mass spectrometry is an electrospray-based ambient ionization method. The swab not only allows easy sample collection on various surfaces but permits the direct ion generation by application of an electric field and solvent flow.
A rapid pesticide screening method involving MS, MS/MS, and spectral library confirmation is presented. The method was applied on an apple skin enabling the quick detection of the pesticides imazalil and thiabendazole.

This work was carried out by Thomas Muggli in the group of Prof. Dr. Stefan Schürch.

References:

• V. Pirro, A. K. Jarmusch, M. Vincenti, R. G. Cooks;
  "Direct drug analysis from oral fluid using medical swab touch spray mass spectrometry"
  Analytica Chimica Acta, 2015, 861, 47-54; doi:10.1016/j.aca.2015.01.008.