Wood from Hardwood Angiosperms and Coniferous Gymnosperms Shows Distinctive Lignin Peaks in Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) Mass Spectra.

A data set was constructed consisting of 3021 mass spectra randomly selected from all available families in the ForeST© (Forensic Spectra of Trees) database of mass spectra for wood analyzed by Direct Analysis in Real Time ionization coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (DART-TOFMS). Clear and reproducible differences were observed between the lignin peaks for hardwood angiosperms and coniferous gymnosperms, with DART-TOFMS spectra of angiosperms showing significantly higher relative abundances for peaks associated with syringyl subunits. Application of the method to processed wood samples demonstrated that these differences can be used to provide support for enforcing trade laws by accurately identifying the source of finished wood products from hardwood angiosperms and coniferous gymnosperms.