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Microfluidic high performance liquid chromatography-chip hyphenation to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry
David P Bishop1, Lucas Blanes1, Alexander B Wilson1
1Elemental Bio-imaging Facility, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales, 2007, Australia.
Journal of Chromatography. A
|April 8, 2017
Summary
This study integrates microfluidic chip technology with ICP-MS for enhanced biomolecule analysis. The novel system overcomes common nanoLC-ICP-MS issues, offering improved performance for trace metal and speciation applications.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Mass Spectrometry
- Microfluidics
Background:
- The Agilent Chip Cube Interface is a microfluidic chip technology for nanospray mass spectrometry.
- It integrates sample enrichment, nano-column, tubing, connectors, and spray tip into a single chip.
- Traditional nanoLC-ICP-MS methods face challenges like leaks, blockages, and band-broadening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To hyphenate the Agilent Chip Cube Interface with ICP-MS.
- To develop a new total consumption nebulizer for low flow rates.
- To demonstrate the system's potential in overcoming nanoLC-ICP-MS limitations.
Main Methods:
- Modification of the standard HPLC chip design for the Chip Cube Interface.
- Integration of a new total consumption nebulizer (300 nL/min flow rate).
- Analysis of cyanocobalamin in equine plasma to validate the system.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated elimination of common nanoLC-ICP-MS issues (leaks, blockages, band-broadening).
- Achieved linearity over three orders of magnitude (r² = 0.9999).
- Reported peak area repeatability of 1.9% (n=7) and a detection limit of 14 ng/mL.
Conclusions:
- The novel Chip Cube Interface coupled to ICP-MS is a viable platform.
- Suitable for analyzing biomolecules associated with trace metals.
- Enables advanced speciation applications.