Solid phase microextraction coupled with portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for on-site analysis

• Current advances of on-site analysis by SPME-portable GC-MS are summarized. • The properties and parameters of portable GC-MS are introduced and compared. • Miniature and portable SPME demonstrates significance role for on-site analysis. • Prospects and challenges of on-site methods by SPME-portable GC–MS are discussed. In recent years, on-site analysis has gained increasing attraction, aiming to minimize deviations caused by sample storage and transportation, as well as reduce delay time. Both sample pretreatment techniques and analytical instruments are crucial for on-site analysis. The technique of solid phase microextraction (SPME) offers benefits like solvent-free operation, high extraction efficiency, and miniaturization, making it a promising option for on-site sample pretreatment. Combining efficient analytical capability with on-site operational functionality, portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) enables rapid response during analysis. Their integration facilitates high-throughput detection of target analytes with improved sensitivity and stability. This review summarizes the advancements in portable GC–MS and SPME for on-site analysis in detail, providing new perspectives on challenges and future development.