Laboratory Instruments
Applied Biosystems API 4000 Liquid Chromatography LC/MS/MS System
Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a powerful analytical technique that combines the separating power of liquid chromatography with the detection and identification capabilities of mass spectrometry. LC-MS-MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) refers specifically to a configuration where two mass spectrometers are used in tandem, enhancing the technique's specificity and sensitivity.
System Includes:
API 4000 LC/MS/MS System – TRIPLE STAGE QUADRUPOLE
MS-40 Roughing Pump
PROTON ON SITE TRIGAS T421M Gas Supplies: 60 psi high purity nitrogen, 100 psi zero grade air, 60 psi filtered, dry air
LC System: Agilent 1100 HPLC System
The API 4000 LC/MS/MS instrument is a Liquid Chromatography (LC) Mass Spectrometer (MS), which incorporates an Atmospheric Pressure Ionization (API) ion source.
What is API in LCMS?
Atmospheric Pressure Ionization (API) sources ionize the sample at atmospheric pressure and then transfer the ions into the mass spectrometer. These techniques are used to ionize thermally labile samples such as peptides, proteins and polymers directly from the condensed phase.
Principle: Separates components of a mixture based on their interactions with a stationary phase (solid or liquid) and a mobile phase (liquid solvent).
Components: Includes a pump for solvent delivery, an injector for sample introduction, a column for separation, and a detector to monitor eluent exiting the column.
Principle: Determines the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of ions produced from molecules, providing structural information and quantitative data.
Components: Involves ionization sources (e.g., electrospray ionization, ESI, or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, APCI), mass analyzers (e.g., quadrupole, time-of-flight, TOF, or ion trap), and detectors for ion detection.
First MS (MS1): Selectively detects and isolates ions of interest based on their m/z ratio and abundance.
Collision Cell: Fragments selected ions into smaller pieces (fragments) using collision-induced dissociation (CID) or other fragmentation techniques.
Second MS (MS2): Detects and analyzes these fragmented ions, providing structural information and increasing specificity.
LC Phase: Separates analytes in the sample mixture based on their physicochemical properties as they pass through the chromatographic column.
MS Phase: Detects and identifies separated analytes based on their mass-to-charge ratio and fragmentation pattern.
Advantages: High sensitivity, specificity, and capability to analyze complex mixtures, trace compounds, and metabolites in biological samples.
Pharmaceutical Analysis: Drug metabolism studies, pharmacokinetics, and bioavailability assessments.
Environmental Monitoring: Analysis of pollutants and contaminants in water, soil, and air samples.
Proteomics and Metabolomics: Identification and quantification of proteins and metabolites in biological samples.
Forensic Science: Detection of drugs, toxins, and trace evidence in criminal investigations.
High Sensitivity: Capable of detecting compounds at low concentrations.
High Specificity: Ability to distinguish between structurally similar compounds.
Wide Applicability: Useful in various fields due to its versatility in handling different types of samples and analytes.