A high-performance bio-tissue imaging method using air flow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization coupled with a high-resolution mass spectrometer

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) technology can simultaneously obtain the spatial distribution of thousands of chemical compounds and has unique advantages compared to other techniques that allow mapping the surface of bio-tissue. Here, we combined an air flow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization (AFADESI) MSI device with a high-resolution mass spectrometer to optimize the system parameters and achieve more accurate spatial distribution characteristics for compounds of interest while investigating bio-tissue sections. The platform set-up, required instrumentation, sample pretreatment, parameter optimization and bio-tissue characterization are described and discussed. Finally, the parameter conditions that can provide optimal ionic intensity and enhanced resolution were confirmed. The reasonable resolution and sensitivity improvements of AFADESI-MSI have been achieved through tandem a high-resolution mass spectrometer system, therefore, it would be a promising technique for the bio-tissue imaging analysis.