Continuous-flow fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Abstract

Fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry has made an enormous impact on analytical biochemistry, opening up new approaches to the biochemist and molecular biologist for the solution of structural problems. Although FAB has become widely used and has many advantages over other mass spectrometric ionization techniques, it is clear that several disadvantages of the technique severely limit its utility. Generally, these difficulties are a consequence of the high concentration of glycerol or other organic liquid support matrix used in the technique.