HybridSPE: A novel technique to reduce phospholipid-based matrix effect in LC-ESI-MS Bioanalysis

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Bioanalysis

Background:

• Inadequate sample preparation in complex biological matrices leads to significant alterations in MS signal and response, compromising quantification.
• Phospholipids are a major endogenous component causing ion suppression and matrix effects in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) bioanalysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the phospholipid-based matrix effect in LC-MS bioanalysis.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the HybridSPE technique in mitigating these matrix effects.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a commercially available electrospray ionization (ESI) source coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.
• Employed the HybridSPE technique, combining precipitation and solid-phase extraction (SPE), for biological sample preparation.

Main Results:

• HybridSPE significantly reduced residual phospholipid levels in biological samples.
• This reduction led to a substantial decrease in matrix effects, improving MS signal consistency.
• The HybridSPE-precipitation procedure yielded cleaner extracts compared to conventional methods.

Conclusions:

• HybridSPE is a practical and fast method to minimize phospholipids-based matrix effects in LC-ESI-MS bioanalysis.
• This technique offers significant improvements for accurate quantification in biological sample analysis.