Enhanced-sensitivity profiling of natural products from TLC plates using a facile graphite-based LA-DART-MS platform.

A graphite-assisted technique was used to enhance laser-assisted ionization TLC direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (LA-TLC-DART-MS), improving the signal responses for flavonoids, alkaloids, volatile oils, and organic acids. When applied to citrus herbs, this method identified 14 compounds and differentiated samples from different origins, demonstrating its potential for natural product quality control.