Application of surface reconstruction enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry in the metabolomics analysis of smokers' saliva

Laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) can be used as an effective detection method for the analysis of more complex samples. However, the organic matrix of conventional LDI-MS produces large background interference and poor signal results, which hinders its application in metabolomics. Surface reconstruction can improve the performance of LDI-MS. In this study, mesoporous NiO@Pt nanofibre membranes were synthesised by a simple and efficient electrostatic spinning strategy and used as a matrix to significantly increase the intensity of mass spectrometry peaks. Metabolomic analysis of saliva samples from 18 smokers and 15 non-smokers was able to clearly distinguish the differences in salivary metabolism between smokers and non-smokers and showed good results in the qualitative analysis of salivary metabolism in smokers. Our study provides a rapid and convenient method for differentiating differences in salivary metabolism in smokers.