LimsPulse
Chromatography

Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS / LC-MS/MS)

Couples an HPLC or UHPLC to a mass spectrometer, so each separated component is identified by its mass and measured with very high sensitivity. Used for impurity identification, nitrosamines and other trace impurities, and bioanalysis.

  • Pharmaceutical
  • Biopharmaceutical
  • Clinical and bioanalytical labs
  • Food safety
  • Environmental
  • Forensic and toxicology
Photo of a Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS / LC-MS/MS)
Photo: Sarka Na kopci, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons
CALIBRATION

LC-MS calibration procedures

Mass accuracy calibration

Calibrates the m/z scale of the mass spectrometer with a reference solution, then verifies accuracy on known compounds.

Open procedure
QUALIFICATION

Instrument qualification (DQ · IQ · OQ · PQ)

  1. 01

    DQ — Design qualification

    Defines analyser type, mass range, resolution, sensitivity, ion sources, LC compatibility, gas and power requirements and a compliant software.

  2. 02

    IQ — Installation qualification

    Confirms installation, vacuum, exhaust, gas supplies, electrical safety, firmware and software versions.

  3. 03

    OQ — Operational qualification

    Tests mass accuracy and calibration, resolution, sensitivity (signal-to-noise for a test compound), MS/MS performance and LC module functions.

  4. 04

    PQ — Performance qualification

    Runs a representative method or system check standard routinely to show sensitivity and mass accuracy remain fit for purpose.

In LimsPulse · Calibration Management

Keep every LC-MS in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.

See how