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. 2020 Jan 17;10(6):3092–3104. doi: 10.1039/c9ra08985c

A brief comparison of different MS-based metabolomic technologies.

Technology Advantages Disadvantages
GC-MS • Mature technology • Requires sample derivatization
• Comparatively cheap • Relatively long time for sample analysis
• Excellent separation reproducibility • Unable to produce parent ions
• Suitable for the detection of volatile metabolites • Novel compound identification is difficult
• Universal databases facilitate metabolite identification
LC-MS • Excellent sensitivity • Comparatively expensive
• Simple sample pretreatment process • Lower reproducibility than GC-MS
• Wide coverage of metabolite detection • Not compatible with volatile metabolites
• Relatively short time for sample analysis with sub-2 μm stationary phase particles • Novel compound identification is difficult
• Matching with multiple MS detectors
IMS In situ detection • Ion suppression
• Providing location information of metabolites • Imaging quality is affected by resolution
• Relatively long time for sample analysis