Agricultural and environmental significance of soil organic matter and plant biomass: Insight from ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

Authors: He, Zhongqi

Submitted to: Pedosphere
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/24/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) is an ultrahigh resolution state-of-the-art analytical instrument used in molecular mass detection with an average mass accuracy of <1 ppm (error less than 6 decimal places). Such ultrahigh resolution allows the assignment of correct elemental formulas for most, if not all, of the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) peaks detected by the instrument. FFT-ICR MS analysis has facilitated the molecular assignment of vast numbers of soil organic matter; thus providing a detailed profiling of soil organic matter, especially, the dissolved organic matter moieties, chemo-diversity in soil and other environmental samples. FT-ICR MS analysis has also been used to advance the applied chemistry and biochemistry of plant biomass components during plant growth and plant post-harvest applications. This invited perspective article offers readers an opportunity to learn forward-thinking viewpoints on FT-ICR MS topics in soil science and plant biomass research for agricultural sustainability and circular economy.

Technical Abstract: Ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) is an advanced instrument capable of separating and determining the molecular mass/charge ratios with sub ppm level accuracy. A typical FT-ICR MS spectrogram can identify hundreds to thousands formulas in a complex sample. This perspective briefly examines the application of FT-ICR MS to soil organic matter and plant biomass studies to highlight its significant contributions to sustainable agriculture and environment. Increased application of FT-ICR MS analysis of soil and agricultural samples would provide greater insight on the distribution and changing patterns of molecular diversity within soil organic matter as they relate to soil health issues and environmental stresses such as climate change and soil contamination, and open new opportunities for valorization of agricultural biomass and accelerate the development of a more circular agricultural economy.