INTRODUCTION

　　The expression S compact mass spectrometer (CMS) is a novel high performance, easy-to-use single quadrupole mass spectrometer with enhanced scan speed and the ability for on-line polarity switching and in-source fragmentation. Priced substantially lower than other MS systems and having a small footprint to fit in space-restricted laboratories, the CMS brings the analytical benefits of mass spectrometry to more scientists than ever before.

　　Natural products, the underlying active components and their use in traditional medicine are of increased interest in the field of pharmaceutical research. The naturally occurring active ingredients are ideal chemical starting structures to improve upon in the pharmaceutical drug development process and consequently half of all currently approved drugs in the US are based on natural products [1] . It is therefore not surprising that natural product analysis is a field of major interest world wide. Here, we present a simple example of the added benefits of mass spectrometry in typical natural product analysis workflows based on an alcoholic extract of nutmeg.