Ambient ionization mass spectrometry for rapid detection of biological warfare agents and their simulants

In the context of current international conflicts and localized terrorist operations, the threat of attack by un-conventional warfare agents, particularly biological agents such as pathogenic microorganisms and toxins, is a constant concern. The ease of production and dissemination of these agents makes it crucial to have fast, precise, and reliable analytical methods for screening and identifying targeted and unknown biological weapons. The rapid advancement of ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS) provides promising opportunities for rapid, real-time, and accurate analysis of trace emerging pathogenic microorganisms and toxins with minimal or no sample pretreatment. This review article provides an overview of several exemplary applications of AIMS in biodefense for the rapid detection and identification of biological weapons, as well as discusses other perspec-tives of AIMS in battlefield detection.

Automated summary

In the face of international conflicts and terrorism, the threat of unconventional warfare agents, especially biological agents, is a constant concern. Therefore, ambient ionization mass spectrometry provides promising opportunities for rapid and accurate screening and identification of biological weapons.