LC-MS

The mass detector can be equipped with probes to perform either atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) or electrospray ionization (ESI). Both APCI and ESI are similar in that the ionization of the analyte(s) of interest occurs at atmospheric pressure. APCI is more effective than ESI with non-polar species in specialized circumstances, as the collisions with the reactive gas may provide the molecule with a charge ([M+H]+ ions).

For common circumstances, ESI nebulizes the sample producing ions that are either positively or negatively charged. Minimal (or no) fragmentation occurs, allowing for determination of the molecule’s molecular weight.

Once the parent ions are produced, they may be trapped using an ion trap (IT) and subjected to further fragmentation experiments, the number of which depends on the concentration of the analyte. For each experiment, fragment ions specific to the parent ion are be observed and can provide valuable information about the compound of interest.

As an additional option, Atomic Echo Labs can perform LC tandem MS (LC-MS-MS) experiments with customized method development. Instead of being trapped using an ion trap as discussed above, ions migrate through a series of mass analyzers undergoing exclusion and fragmentation (also referred to as MS2) for highly sensitive and selective mass analysis using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.

For both UV and MS responses, the measured peak area or height is concentration-dependent and may be used to quantify the component.

Ideal Uses of LC-MS

• In-line UV detection allows for the same or similar capabilities as HPLC and UPLC
• Analysis of ionizable compounds (usually polar) lacking UV-chromophores
• Structural information and confirmation, using MS/MS to produce product ions from precursor ion (analyte of interest)

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the following example analytes:

• Surfactants/emulsifiers
• Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
• Polypropylene glycol (PPG)
• Ethoxylated and propoxylated analytes containing fatty alcohol, fatty acid, and other headgroups
• Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate
• Alkyl benzene sulfonates
• Trade Name Materials: Brij, Span, Tween

Biocides/preservatives

• Quaternary ammonium chloride compounds (QACs)
• Benzalkonium chloride (BZK)
• Polyquats
• Polymer extractable/leachables
• Stabilizers/Antioxidants (e.g. Irganox)
• Irritants/Sensitizers
• Plasticizers
• See whitepaper for example: Will the Newest Wearable Device Leave You Itching for More?
• Dyes
• Pesticides
• Other ionizable compounds (usually polar) that may contain certain functional groups (esters, sulfates, phosphates, ammonium, ethoxylate, propoxylated)
• Analyses are possible for simple and complex sample matrices  of analytes in a complex matrix and/or at trace levels

Sample matrix examples:

• Pharmaceutical (i.e. cream, gel, ointment, shampoo, oral suspension, ophthalmic suspension, tablet, capsule, softgel)
• Environmental (i.e. soil, water, sediment)
• Biological (i.e. crops, livestock tissues, milk, eggs, blood, urine)
• Industrial (i.e. packaging, cleaning products, chemical products, raw materials)
• Food (i.e. beverages, fruits, vegetables meat products, baked goods, and other processed sources)
• Other surfaces (i.e. electronics)
• Through method development, existing methodology can be updated for greater specificity and sensitivity using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (MS/MS)
• Direct injection (infusion) MS (no LC separation) analysis available as an alternative approach

Strengths

• LC (both reverse and normal phase) affords great range of chromatographic separation options
• Provides both identification and quantitative information
• Enhanced mass resolution (QE) allowing for structural elucidation
• Ability to monitor both positive and negative ions during a single run (IT)
• High specificity of detector. No need for confirmatory detection method (MS/MS)
• High sensitivity. Can detect some compounds in the parts-per-billion and -trillion ranges (MS/MS)
• Excellent reproducibility when stable labeled internal standards are available (MS/MS)

Limitations

• Compounds must be soluble in common solvents such as water, alcohols, and acetonitrile
• Compounds must be ionizable, which normally requires the molecular to be polar
• Depending on analyte, reproducibility may be lower when compared to UV detection
• Matrix co-extractants can suppress or enhance ionization potential. May need to employ matrix-matched calibrants for quantitation

Laser Diffractometry Technical Specifications

Mass Ranges

• m/z 50 – 2000
• m/z 200 – 4000
• Larger molecules (> 4000 Da) may be observed as multi-charged ions below m/z 4000

Resolution

• Down to 0.05 FWHM (full width half maximum) with Ultra ZoomScan
• 140,000 resolution at m/z 200 and < 1 ppm mass accuracy provides enhanced ID confidence (QE)

Polarity Switching

• 100 msec between positive and negative MS scan power
• MSn for n = 1 through 15

LC-MS Ion Database

Atomic Echo Labs Laboratories possesses commercial and proprietary internal databases for a combined database containing over 20,000 entries. In addition, Atomic Echo Labs Laboratories utilizes public online databases (e.g. ChemSpider, PubChem) to supplement internal database searching in order to identify unknown compounds. Atomic Echo Labs leverages the shared knowledge and expertise of our chemists along with usage of this tool to efficiently screen for impurities, surfactants sensitizers, and irritants.