Use of an “Intelligent Knife” (iknife), Based on the Rapid Evaporative Ionization Mass Spectrometry Technology, for Authenticity Assessment of Pistachio Samples

Abstract

The iknife (intelligent knife) is the coupling between rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry and an electrosurgical knife. The technique is based on a fast evaporation of a sample, yielding gaseous molecular ions of the major components, thus obtaining a holistic profile, usable as univocal fingerprinting. Since its introduction by Professor Takats of Imperial College of London, it was mainly used for in vivo biological tissues analysis since, differently from desorption ionization methods, it does not require any sample preparation. The aim of the present research is to extend the applicability and the advantages of such a technique to food samples for geography evaluation and authenticity assessment. For this purpose, a database containing MS profiles of authentic samples need to be created. The application here described focus on the profiling of pistachio samples, taking into account that adulterated Sicilian Bronte pistachio can be found on the market, due to its high cost.