Proton-Transfer-Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (PTR-TOFMS) for Aroma Compound Detection in Real-Time: Technology, Developments, and Applications

Proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry, PTR-MS, is an established tool in flavour research for the real-time detection of volatile aroma compounds in both in vitro and in vivo applications. The latter development of a PTR-MS system coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, PTR-TOFMS, provides unprecedented time and mass resolution in the real-time analysis of odorants. This chapter reviews the technology and reports on latest developments of PTR-TOFMS, including a fast gas-chromatographic pre-separation stage, autosampling capabilities and sensitivity improvements. Selected food-flavour applications are also reviewed and discussed.