Using Mass Spectrometry and Component Data Analysis (CODA) Processing for Automatic Peak Tracking in Rapid LC Method Development

摘要

In a streamlined LC method development strategy involving automatic screening of multiple column and mobile phase, following by temperature/gradient optimization and software optimization, reliable peak tracking becomes the bottle neck for development turn around. Traditionally, area percent and UV profile are the two dominant approaches for peak tracking. Both approaches, however, have their limitations. For example, when peaks coelute, peak area tracking becomes unreliable. Under different pH's, certainly compounds could have substantial difference in UV profiles. With the incorporation of mass spectrometry, molecular weight can be used as a reliable way to track peak as well. In practice, sensitivity of a typical single quadrupole mass spectrometry is less than UV detector. This is due to, to a large extent, the background ion signals presented in the spectrum. (Component data analysis) CODA processing provides a way to clean up the background interference and enhance S/N ratios of the peak in the mass spectra. Here we present how Pfizer Analytical Development utilize mass spectrometry and CODA processing in our LC method development work flow to aid method development.