Pharmaceutical analysis refers to an area of analytical chemistry that deals with active compounds either by themselves (drug substance) or when formulated with excipients (drug product). In a less simplistic way, it can be defined as a complex science involving various disciplines, e.g., drug development, pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, tissue distribution studies, and environmental contamination analyses. As such, the pharmaceutical analysis covers drug development to its impact on health and the environment. Moreover, due to the need for safe and effective medications, the pharmaceutical industry is one of the most heavily regulated sectors of the global economy. For this reason, powerful analytical instrumentation and efficient methods are required. In the last decades, mass spectrometry has been increasingly used in pharmaceutical analysis both for research aims and routine quality controls. Among different instrumental setups, ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry with Fourier transform instruments, i.e., Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) and Orbitrap, gives access to valuable molecular information for pharmaceutical analysis. In fact, thanks to their high resolving power, mass accuracy, and dynamic range, reliable molecular formula assignments or trace analysis in complex mixtures can be obtained. This review summarizes the principles of the two main types of Fourier transform mass spectrometers, and it highlights applications, developments, and future perspectives in pharmaceutical analysis.

Microalga-based fuels are promising solutions for replacing fossil fuels. This feedstock presents several advantages such as fast growth in a harsh environment and an ability to trap gases emitted from industries, thus reducing global warming effects. An efficient way to convert harvested microalgae into biofuels is hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), which yields an intermediate product called biocrude. In this study, the elemental and molecular compositions of 15 different HTL biocrudes were determined by means of different techniques. Wild algae were cultivated in an industrial environment with plant emissions as a carbon source in fresh or seawater. It was notably observed that the culture medium had an influence on the biochemical composition and mineral matter content of algae. Thus, seawater algae were characterized by larger amounts of carbohydrates and mineral matter than freshwater ones, which also affected the oil yields and the light and heavy fractions of biocrudes.

Automotive formulated lubricants are high value products composed of 80% base oil and 20% various additives. During their life service, lubricants are exposed to several factors that will cause degradation over time, such as high temperature, shear, and oxidation. Base oil is a complex combination of hydrocarbons that are relatively sensitive to oxidation. During the initiation phase of oxidation, free radicals are formed, leading to the production of hydroperoxide ROOH and an alkyl radical R^•. These compounds will react with the base oil molecules to form aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids in the termination phase. Owing to the molecular complexity of these mixtures, Fourier transform mass spectrometry seems to be the most appropriate tool to cover their wide range of compounds due to its ultra-high resolving power and mass accuracy. In this study, a native formulated lubricant and its different oxidized states at 140 °C under air flow (3, 5, 7, 8, and 9 days of oxidation) were analyzed by FTICR MS. The combination of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) was used to achieve a non-selective ionization of molecules, including base oils, while Electrospray ionization (ESI) was used to selectively ionize acidic molecules. Apparent Kendrick mass defect (aKMD) plots were used to separate homologous series of molecules on different horizontal lines on the basis of the CH₂ repetition unit. Aging of lubricants was mainly characterized by a rapid consumption of certain additive families, such as molybdenum dithiocarbamates (MoDTCs) and zinc dithiophosphate (ZnDTPs), but also by the emergence of many oxidation products. Thus, the presence of aldehydes, ketones, and acids was characterized in the early stage of aging while larger products from polymerization were observed in a more advanced stage of aging. Interaction products between peroxy radicals and hindered phenols/alkyl diphenylamines (ADPAs) antioxidations were elucidated toward the high m/z. The formation of such products can be explained by trapping mechanisms of these additives at high temperature (>120 °C). Other types of interaction products were observed with the formation of antioxidant complexes. Additive degradation products were also characterized. For instance, polyisobutenyl succinimide dispersant oxidation products were clearly evidenced on the aKMD plots due to the gaps of 56 Da between each point. Overall, this study demonstrated the efficiency of the aKMD approach, and the use of ESI/APCI to characterize base oil and additive oxidation products.