Mass spectrometric non-target screening (NTS), non-target analysis and untargeted screening are synonyms for the mass spectrometry-based analysis strategy, providing new insights into very complex samples.
Key to gain a most comprehensive view on samples is a well-adjusted analytical workflow. The analytical workflow contains all steps from sampling, sample treatment, over analysis to data evaluation. Depending on the nature of the samples and the analytical questions, which should be answered with NTS, these individual steps need to be adjusted and connected very thoroughly. Quality assessment and quality control are necessary to allow retrospective assessment of analytical data. With such specific analytical workflow, a broad range of analytical questions can be addressed; from the identification of unknown/unexpected compounds to the statistical assessment of data set and or processes.
