Which method is capable of measuring both amino acids and fatty acids simultaneously?

Tandem-mass spectroscopy (MS/MS) is an advanced analytical technique that enables the concurrent measurement of a wide range of compounds, including both amino acids and fatty acids. This method works by first ionizing the sample, allowing the components to be separated based on their mass-to-charge ratios. In tandem mass spectroscopy, multiple rounds of mass analysis (hence 'tandem') can be performed, enabling not only the identification but also the quantification of different analytes in the same sample efficiently.

One of the key advantages of tandem-mass spectroscopy is its sensitivity and specificity, which make it suitable for detecting low concentrations of various biological molecules simultaneously. This ability to analyze complex mixtures in a single run elevates the practicality and efficiency of biochemical profiling needed in clinical chemistry.

In contrast, other methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography typically focus on separating compounds rather than performing a simultaneous multi-analyte measurement. While some of these methods can measure amino acids or fatty acids individually or in separate analyses, they do not inherently provide the capability to measure both classes of compounds in a single analytical procedure as tandem-mass spectroscopy does.