LC MS
LC MS
Liquid chromatography
Mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
Brahmesh Reddy B R and Aishwarya G
I year Ph.D
Department of Plant Physiology
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
What is LC-MS?
LC separation
LC separation
When the sample solution-mobile phase mix reaches the column, its components
will differentially interact with the stationary phase (which remains in the column)
depending upon their chemical composition or physical properties.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
LC separation
Based on the mechanism of interaction between the analyte and the stationary phase, LC
separations have been classified into different modes, such as:
Liquid
Chromatography
Figure 1: A simplified diagram of a liquid chromatograph hyphenated to a mass spectrometer (LC-MS) showing: (1) binary pump for mobile phase,
(2) autosampler 6-port valve and injector loop, (3) column heater with column, (4) mass spectrometer detector, (5) PC
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
A variety of column lengths (30 to 250 mm) and internal diameters (1 to 4.6 mm) are available, packed with stationary phase
adsorbent materials of differing activities and particle sizes (1.5 to 10-micron diameter) that together define the column efficiency and
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
The column is located in a column oven; at higher temperatures (45 ºC) the viscosity of the mobile phase
decreases which increases its linear velocity. This in turn reduces the run time and also improves the
chromatographic resolution.
Components in the mixture that have a higher affinity to the mobile phase will migrate through the
column quickly with little interaction with the stationary phase.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
The time taken between injection and detection is known as the retention time. The retention time for a component will be very
specific for a given set of chromatographic conditions and may be compared with that of a standard for identification.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Chromatogram
Chromatogram
Chromatogram
The time at which the detector “sees” the analyte is its RT. The identity of a compound in a sample can be
confirmed by comparing its RT with the RT of a known compound.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Mass Spectrometry
Mass Spectrometry
Figure 1: Outline of the main steps of MS and common variants available at each step
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Mass Spectrometry
There are many different types of mass spectrometers, but they all have three features in common (Figure 1).
The first is some means by which atoms or molecules from the sample can be ionized.
Neutral species cannot be steered by electric fields used in mass spectrometers, and thus it is necessary to produce ions. There
are many different means by which this can be accomplished, and they are collectively referred to as ion sources.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Mass Spectrometry
There are many different types of mass spectrometers, but they all have three features in common (Figure 1).
The second component of all mass spectrometers is the mass analyzer itself. There are several different means by
which the m/z ratio of ions can be measured.
Time-of-flight (ToF), magnetic sector and quadrupole mass analyzers are the most common, each with its own set
of strengths and limitations.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
m/z
Ratio
Mass Spectrometry
There are many different types of mass spectrometers, but they all have three features in common (Figure 1).
The final component common to all mass spectrometer systems is a means of detecting or counting the number of
ions of a specific m/z value.
These devices are called detectors and they too come in several different forms with the most common being
electron multipliers, Faraday cups, channel trons and channel plates.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Mass Spectrometry
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
2. Desorption methods
a. Matrix assisted Laser DI (MALDI)
b. Fast Atom Bombardment (FAB)
Component 1 c. Thermal Ionization Sources
d. Plasma Ionization Sources
e. Liquid Metal Ion Sources (LIMS)
3. Spray methods
a. Electrospray Ionization (ESI)
b. Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI)
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
leading to an increased
surface charge density.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Mass Spectrometry
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Mass Analyzers
1. Time of flight (ToF) - time required
2. Quadrupole - trajectory deflection
3. Magnetic sensor - dispersion lll prism
4. Ion trap - quadrupole with ringed electrodes
Component 2 5. Orbitrap - opposite cups and imagery
6. Tandem MS - hybrid
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
● Quadrupole mass analyzers consist of two pairs of metal rods equidistant from each other and biased
at equal and opposite potentials.
● These twin potentials contain a fixed direct current (DC) and alternating radio frequency (RF)
component, where the strength of the RF component can be varied.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
● Any ion entering the quadrupole will have its trajectory deflected by the potential in a manner that is
proportional to its m/z value.
● At specific RF values, only one specific m/z value will resonate with the field and be able to navigate
to the end of the quadrupole and be detected. Ions with other m/z values will collide with the
quadrupoles, lose their charge and not be detected.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Mass Spectrometry
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Ion Detectors
Array detectors
LC - MS
IN A NUTSHELL
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
● Unlike other detectors, the LC eluent carrying the separated analytes is not allowed to flow
into the mass spectrometer.
● While the LC system is operated at ambient pressures, the mass spectrometer is operated
under vacuum and the two are coupled through an interface.
● As the column eluent flows into the interface, the solvent is evaporated by applying heat and
the analyte molecules are vaporized and ionized.
● This is a crucial step as the mass spectrometer is only capable of detecting and measuring the
gas phase ions.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
● As the analyte ions are generated at atmospheric pressure in the interface, the process is
called atmospheric pressure ionization (API) and the interface is known as the API source.
● Electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) are the
most commonly used sources in LC-MS analysis.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
● The analyte ions are drawn into the mass spectrometer where they are subjected to electric
fields and/or magnetic fields.
● The flight paths of the ions are altered by varying the applied fields which ensures their
separation from one another on the basis of their mass-to-charge (m/z) values.
● Post-separation, the ions can be collected and detected by a variety of mass detectors,2 of
which the most common one is the electron-multiplier.
● When the separated ions strike the surface of the electron-multiplier (a dynode), secondary
electrons are released.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
a) scan
LC-MS analysis
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
LC-MS analysis
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Case Study 1
Schuster O, Zvi A, Rosen O, Achdout H, Ben-Shmuel A, Shifman O, Yitzhaki S, Laskar O, Feldberg L.
Specific and Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Identification Based on LC-MS/MS Analysis. ACS Omega. 2021 Jan
26;6(5):3525-3534. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04691. PMID: 33585737; PMCID: PMC7857140.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Schuster O, Zvi A, Rosen O, Achdout H, Ben-Shmuel A, Shifman O, Yitzhaki S, Laskar O, Feldberg L. Specific and Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Identification Based on LC-MS/MS Analysis. ACS Omega. 2021 Jan 26;6(5):3525-3534. doi:
10.1021/acsomega.0c04691. PMID: 33585737; PMCID: PMC7857140.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Schuster O, Zvi A, Rosen O, Achdout H, Ben-Shmuel A, Shifman O, Yitzhaki S, Laskar O, Feldberg L. Specific and Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Identification Based on LC-MS/MS Analysis. ACS Omega. 2021 Jan 26;6(5):3525-3534. doi:
10.1021/acsomega.0c04691. PMID: 33585737; PMCID: PMC7857140.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Schuster O, Zvi A, Rosen O, Achdout H, Ben-Shmuel A, Shifman O, Yitzhaki S, Laskar O, Feldberg L. Specific and Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Identification Based on LC-MS/MS Analysis. ACS Omega. 2021 Jan 26;6(5):3525-3534. doi:
10.1021/acsomega.0c04691. PMID: 33585737; PMCID: PMC7857140.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Case Study 2
Schuster O, Zvi A, Rosen O, Achdout H, Ben-Shmuel A, Shifman O, Yitzhaki S, Laskar O, Feldberg L.
Specific and Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Identification Based on LC-MS/MS Analysis. ACS Omega. 2021 Jan
26;6(5):3525-3534. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04691. PMID: 33585737; PMCID: PMC7857140.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Mosaad I. Morsy, Eman G. Nouman, Youmna M. Abdallah, Mourd A. Zainelabdeen, Mohamed M. Darwish, Ahmed Y. Hassan, Amira S. Gouda, Mamdouh R. Rezk, Ahmed M. Abdel-Megied, Hoda M. Marzouk,
A novel LC-MS/MS method for determination of the potential antiviral candidate favipiravir for the emergency treatment of SARS-CoV-2 virus in human plasma: Application to a bioequivalence study in Egyptian human volunteers,
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, Volume 199, 2021,114057,ISSN 0731-7085,[Link]
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Wang, Guodong & Wang, G.-D. (2014). Applications of LC-MS in Plant Metabolomics. 10.1007/978-94-017-9291-2_9.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Jebaseelan, S. & Jose, B. & Meera, Dr.R.. (2021). Phytochemical Investigation Using LC-MS Analysis and Antimicrobial Activities of Leaf Extract of Muntingia calabura Linn. International Journal of
Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research. 69. 10.47583/ijpsrr.2021.v69i02.006.
Brahmesh Reddy B R Liquid Chromatography Department of Plant Biotechnology
Aishwarya G Mass spectrometry MBB 504 (2+1) / Techniques in Molecular Biology - I
Thank you