Analytical performance of the various acquisition modes in Orbitrap MS and MS/MS

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Mass Spectrometry
• Chromatography

Background:

• Quadrupole Orbitrap (Q Orbitrap) instruments offer high-resolution mass spectrometry for complex sample analysis.
• Effective quantification of trace analytes in intricate matrices necessitates careful selection of acquisition modes.
• Multi-residue analysis, such as detecting pesticides or veterinary drugs in food, presents significant quantification challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the strengths and limitations of current Q Orbitrap acquisition modes.
• To explore the integration of targeted acquisitions within full scan experiments for enhanced sensitivity and selectivity.
• To provide guidance on selecting optimal acquisition strategies for trace analyte quantification in complex matrices.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of various Q Orbitrap acquisition modes, including full scan and quadrupole-isolated acquisitions.
• Assessment of analytical performance metrics such as sensitivity, selectivity, dynamic range, and speed.
• Discussion of hybrid approaches combining full scan with targeted acquisition techniques.

Main Results:

• Different Q Orbitrap acquisition modes exhibit distinct advantages and disadvantages concerning sensitivity, selectivity, and speed.
• The choice of acquisition mode significantly impacts the ability to reliably quantify trace analytes in complex samples.
• Targeted acquisitions can be effectively integrated into full scan methods to improve detection of specific compounds.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing Q Orbitrap acquisition mode selection is critical for successful trace analyte quantification in multi-residue methods.
• Hybrid acquisition strategies offer a promising approach to meet diverse analytical requirements within a single method.
• This work provides a framework for enhancing the performance of Q Orbitrap instruments in challenging analytical applications.