Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and its application to the analysis of some peptides and proteins.

The techniques of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry has overtaken (but not entirely replaced) field desorption mass spectrometry as the method of choice for the analysis of nonvolatile, thermally labile polar compounds. The ease with which information may be obtained on a wide variety of molecules is a result of the relative simplicity of the technique. A brief history of bioorganic mass spectrometry leading to the development of fast atom bombardment is presented, as well as a description of the method and ancillary techniques. Selected examples of its application to peptide and protein structural problems attest to the power and utility of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.