Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Investigation of Microbial Cooperation via Imaging Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Bacterial Colonies Grown on Agar and in Tissue During Infection
Published on: November 18, 2022
Analytical bias between species caused by matrix effects in quantitative analysis of a small-molecule pharmaceutical
Nicholas P Gray1, Stuart A McDougall, John R Dean
1Covance, Alnwick, Northumberland, UK.
Background:
Suppression or enhancement of MS ionization, particularly evident when electrospray is used as the source of ions, has been widely discussed.
Methods:
An assay for a small-molecule pharmaceutical in dog plasma between 1-300 ng/ml was validated with a mean bias across the calibration range of 5.0%. When the calibration sample matrix was substituted for human plasma, the mean bias across the range increased to 29.1%. A study of bias originating as a result of matrix effects, arising from endogenous glycerophosphocholine species, in plasma sources is discussed.
Conclusion:
A simple strategy to assess the potential of any unmitigated matrix effect to bias quantitative analysis by nonequivalent ionization induction or suppression is evaluated.
Related Concept Videos
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Interferences
Analysis of Population Pharmacokinetic Data
Drug Distribution: Plasma Protein Binding
Mechanistic Models: Compartment Models in Individual and Population Analysis
Drug Concentrations: Measurements
Plasma —...
Bioequivalence Data: Statistical Interpretation

