A Method for Monitoring and Controlling Reproducibility of Intensity Data in Complex Electrospray Mass Spectra: A Thermometer Ion-based Strategy

摘要

Reproducibility in mass spectral data is important in both biomarker discovery and spectral database searching. We report a strategy, employing a series of substituted benzylpyridinium thermometer ions that can be used to monitor changes in performance of multiple aspects of an electrospray ionization source that impact the intensity axis of a spectrum. Performance attributes, which could confound even isotope-based quantification strategies, are readily assessed using a mixture of thermometer ions. Based on the observed behavior of the ions, a procedure is proposed for monitoring instrument performance and compensating for factors that affect reproducibility across both time and instruments.