Agilent 6400 Series QQQ Method Development

Triple Quadrupole and Optimization

LC/MS/MS
Users Session MassHunter Quant:
Method setup
Peak detection optimization
Quant troubleshooting

David Presser
Application Scientist

MH User workshop QQQ fall2009.pptx

1 Fall 2009
Agenda

QQQ method development and optimization

Source optimization for standard and Agilent Jetstream sources
Compound optimization using flow injection or Optimizer software
MassHunter Quant software
Current revision B.03.02: What's New
Review of Quant methods: creation from acquired data, existing batch
Global and Advanced parameters
Optimizing peak identification and rejection
Quant method troubleshooting: identification and integration

MH User workshop QQQ fall2009.pptx

2 Fall 2009
Agilent ESI and APCI sources:
for polar to non-polar
non polar compounds
Nebulizer
Nebulizer Pressure
Pressure

Corona
Vaporizer
current

Vcap
Vcap

Drying Gas Drying gas

Temperature Temperature
and Flow Fragmentor V Fragmentor V
and Flow

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Agilent Multimode source for flexibility
ESI or APCI or Mixed mode ((simultaneous ESI/APCI))

HPLC Nebulizer
inlet

ESI Zone:
Charging V
APCI Zone
IR emitters:
"Vaporizer"
Vaporizer

Corona Fragmentor V
needle

Drying
Capillary V
gas

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Agilent Jetstream Technology (AJT)
The super-heated
Th h t d sheath
h th gas
collimates the nebulizer spray and
presents more ions to the MS inlet.
N b li i gas: pressure
Nebulizing
Enhanced efficiency nebulizer

*Sheath
*Sh th gas: flflow and
d
temperature

Drying gas:
*Nozzle voltage flow and temperature

Resistive sampling Resistive sampling

capillary entrance: Capillary V capillary exit: FragV

*New parameters unique to AJT source

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Source optimization for Agilent LC/MS systems
ESI,, APCI,, MM and Agilent
g Jetstream Technology
gy ((AJT))
Compound dependent
Flow dependent parameters: parameters:
Nebulizer pressure Capillary voltage
Drying gas temperature and flow Fragmentor voltage
Vaporizer temperature (MM) Collision Energy (QQQ, QTOF)
Sheath gas flow (AJT) Vaporizer temp (APCI, MM, AJT)
Sheath
S gas temperature (AJT)
( )
Nozzle voltage (AJT)

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Starting parameters for Agilent sources
(small molecules)
Parameter ESI source APCI source
Nebulizer pressure 25 psi 0
0.2
2 mL/min 60 psi
50 psi 1 mL/min
Drying gas flow 10 Lpm < 0.2 mL/min 5 Lpm
12 Lpm > 0.4 mL/min
Drying gas temp 325-350C 350C
Capillary voltage 3500V 3500V
Fragmentor
F t voltage
lt 70-100
70 100 V Si
Single
l quads
d 70-100
70 100 V Si
Single
l quads
d
compound dependent 120-140V QQQ, TOF 120-140V QQQ, TOF
140-170V 6230, 6530 140-170V 6230, 6530

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Starting parameters for Agilent sources
(small molecules)
Parameter Multimode source Agilent Jetstream
Nebulizer pressure 60 psi ESI 45 psi
20 psi APCI
40 psi Mixed mode
Drying gas flow 5 Lpm 7 Lpm
Drying gas temp 250C ESI, Mixed 300C
300C APCI
Capillary voltage 2000V 3500V
Charging voltage (MM) 2000V
Nozzle voltage (AJT) 500V
Fragmentor voltage 70-100 V Single quads 70-100 V Single quads
Compound dependent 120-140V QQQ, TOF 120-140V QQQ, TOF
140-170V 6230, 6530 140-170V 6230, 6530

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Tuning and Calibration for Agilent QQQ systems
Agilent
Agilent QQQ systems are very stable and require infrequent Autotuning (if not
not,
place a service call!).
Current software uses "ESI-Low" tune mix for all QQQs.
Routine use only requires resolution and mass axis verification for polarity and
resolution modes to be used.
Run performance check sample (lab SOP)
Do Checktune (checks all three resolution modes)
In Manual Tune, turn on calibrant and observe MS1 and MS2 profiles. Use Adjust
Gain and Offset button if width or mass axis requires adjustment.
If using negative ion, Autotuning should be done monthly or less to minimize
source exposure to TFA.
TFA
Flush source extensively with LC flow after 30-minute Autotune before running
samples in negative ion.
Autotune
utotu e at least
east qua
quarterly
te y to opt
optimize
e ion
o ttransmission
a s ss o a and
d update EM
voltage.

MH Users Meeting Morning Session

Fall2009.pptx

Fall 2009
Optimizing the AJT source
beginning with recommended starting values ( )
Order of effect on sensitivity Things to note
Sheath gas temperature (250C) Requires time to stabilize

Sheath gas flow (8 Lpm) Generally 10-12 Lpm for 0.2-0.7mL

Nebulizer pressure (45 psi) LC flow- and mobile phase- dependent

Capillary voltage (3500V) Somewhat MW dependent

Nozzle voltage (0V) Very compound- and polarity-dependent

Drying gas temperature (250C) Interaction with flow and sheath parms

Drying gas flow (5 Lpm) Generally 5-7 Lpm, higher when in doubt

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Optimizing the AJT source
Typical values ( ) and Increments
Order of effect on sensitivity Increments and ranges to test

Sheath gas temperature (325C) 50C, 250-400C

Sheath gas flow (10 Lpm) 2 Lpm, 8 -12 Lpm

Nebulizer pressure (40 psi) 5 psi, 25 50 psi

Capillary voltage (3500V) 500V 2500-4500V

500V,

Nozzle voltage (0V) 500V, 0 - 2000V

Drying gas temperature (300C) 50C, 250-350C

Drying gas flow (7 Lpm) 2 Lpm, 5-11 Lpm

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Optimization techniques

Fragmentor V and Collision Energy (for MS/MS systems)

should be optimized first using recommended starting
parameters for source.
Voltages, gas flows change quickly and can be optimized with
series of flow injections using method with injector program and
time segments.
Temperatures
p ((sheath g
gas, drying
y gg gas, vaporizers)
p ) require
q
equilibration time between injections; perhaps best done with
final chromatography conditions.
Template flow injection methods also come with Optimizer
software

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Injector program for series of flow injections
Injector program steps:
Valve to Bypass
Remote Startpulse
Repeat n times [n = number of time segments]
Draw default amount from samplep
Valve to Mainpass
Check to use injector program Wait 0.25 min [adjust to sync with acq time segments]
End repeat

Example
p Injector
j
Program with 2-min
spacing and explicit
repeats

Note: Inject and Remote Startpulse commands work differently on QQQ and TOF/QTOF.

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Injector program for series of flow injections
Synchronize with MS time segments

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Fragmentor and Collision Energy optimization
using flow injection with injector program
Methylmalonic acid, dibutyl ester
Maximize MH+ ion transmission, minimize CID with Fragmentor voltage
Maximize product ion signal(s) with Collision Energy
Can fine tune each with smaller steps after initial experiments

Fragmentor 60-160V 20V steps

Collision Energy 5-30V 5V steps

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Fragmentor and Collision Energy optimization
using flow injection with injector program
Androstenedione
Maximize MH+ ion transmission, minimize CID with Fragmentor voltage
Maximize product ion signal(s) with Collision Energy
Can fine tune each with smaller steps after initial experiments

Fragmentor
ag e o 100-260V
00 60
20V steps

Collision Energy 5-45V

5V steps

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Fragmentor and Collision Energy Determination
with Optimizer software
Optional add-on to MassHunter QQQ acquisition software
Current
Current version: B.02.01
B 02 01 (requires B
B.02.01
02 01 Acquisition)
Useful for frequent method development [new compound each
week] or for multi-compound methods [e
[e.g.
g toxicology
toxicology,
environmental applications]
Many toxicology and pesticide transitions are available in new
Many
Agilent application kits
Can use Flow Injection
j before LC separation
p is developed
p
Can use LC method to optimize multiple compounds in a few
injections

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MassHunter Optimizer user interface:
Compound
p list - can import
p from Excel-created csv file
[screen captures courtesy of Ken Peck, Texas Veterinary Diagnostic Lab]

Optimizer will calculate precursor ion m/z from molecular formulae

Can assign compounds to Groups for later browsing

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MassHunter Optimizer precursor ion selection
User-selectable adducts (H, Na, K, OAc- , HCOO-, etc.)
Can run both positive and negative ion methods in same Project

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Optimizer product ion selection and rejection
(set mass range, minimum abundance)

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Optimizer method type, parameter step selection

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Optimizer results
Automatically added to MRM database

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Optimizer interactive parameter selection

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MassHunter Optimizer
Results for the p
project
j can be viewed immediately
y after run:
precursor and product ions, Fragmentor and Collision Energies

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Optimizer
Browse compounds in Acquisition for import
Compounds can be Compounds can be
filtered by project, searched for by
group polarity or date
group, name or formula

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MassHunter Optimizer
Build LC/MS/MS method from compound database

Select compounds in database after filtering

Select transitions for each compound (all or individual)
Easily import into template LC/MS method

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Dynamic MRM

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27 Fall 2009
Optimization of MRM Acquisition

Good quantitation requires adequate number of data points

across each p
peak ((ideally
y 10-20))
High confidence or regulated identification requires > 1 MRM
per compound.
Monitoring many compounds simultaneously lowers dwell time
per MRM.
Therefore for best sensitivity, only monitor compounds in
retention time window where they elute.
Traditional approach of time segments has limitations and is
tedious to setup up and maintain.

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 Peak Capacities are very high with UHPLC
40 MRM Transitions in 1 minute time window

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The solution: MassHunter Dynamic MRM
Included in QQQ Acquisition B.02.01
B 02 01
For applications requiring quantitation of 100 1000
compounds
co pou ds in oonee run;
u ; so
someee
examples:
a p es
Food and environmental analysis (e.g. pesticides)
Targeted quantitation of proteins via peptides (proteomics)

WITHOUT Dynamic MRM:

Need to manually set up multiple time segments to maximize dwell times
Tedious
T di to set up; problematic
bl i if changes
h iin retention
i times
i

WITH Dynamic MRM:

Automatic
A t ti setup
t off overlapping
l i time
ti segments
t without
ith t user intervention
i t ti
Fewer MRMs per unit time results in longer dwell time => incr sensitivity
Unaffected by
y minor chromatographic
g p time shifts
 Dynamic MRM for 6400 Series Triple Quads
monitors transitions only
y when compounds
p elute

Cycle Time:
Concurrent MRMs
Dwell Time:

1. # Concurrent MRMs fewer than with time segments more data points across each peak
2.
2 Allows
All longer
l dwell
d ll times
ti better
b tt sensitivity,
iti it S/N

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Acquisition setup with Dynamic MRM:
No time segments,
g , instead
Retention Time and "Delta Ret Time" [MRM time range]

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8 Minute Dynamic MRM Analysis with 6460 QQQ
- 250
250-compound
compound Pesticide Screen.
x10 2
9.6 1 1
9.4
9.2
9
8.8
500ppt, dynamic MRM
8.6
8.4 Retention Time Window = 12 sec
8.2
8
7.8
Peak widths ~ 1 second
7.6
7.4
7.2
7
6.8
6.6
6.4
6.2
6
5.8
5.6
5.4
5.2
5
4.8
Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18
4.6
4.4 2.1 x 100mm ((1.8m)
)
4.2
4
3.8
3.6
3.4
3.2
3
2.8
2.6
2.4
2 4
2.2
2
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1 3.193427
0.8
0.6
04
0.4
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3 3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 4 4.2 4.4 4.6 4.8 5 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.8 6 6.2 6.4 6.6 6.8 7 7.2 7.4
Counts vs. Acquisition Time (min)

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Summary Optimization of QQQ Acquisition

Source optimization: flow and compound dependent parameters

Agilent
Agilent Jetstream Technology source: increased sensitivity vs
regular ESI source if parameters optimized correctly:
Sheath gas temperature and flow are most important
Other parameters have less effect on response
Need less drying gas flow and temperature, but keep capillary clean
Dynamic MRM is available for all 6400 models
More data points across peak
Longer dwell times for better sensitivity, S/N
Easier to set up and maintain than time segment methods

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MassHunter Quantitative Software
Review and Quant Method Optimization
Topics
Method setup from acquired data
Method re-use and updating
Peak detection optimization
Peak identification troubleshooting
What's new in MH Quant B.03.02

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Important MassHunter Quant concepts and rules:
Batches
A Batch is a file which contains all the Quant results from a set
of data files AND the Quant method used. Veryy convenient for
backup and moving data around.
All the data files in a Batch must reside in a single directory, so
put them all together before creating New Batch.
Select the data directory BEFORE naming the new Batch
Using the Browse to Copy Samples button when creating the
Batch can be dangerous: you will have two copies of the same
files (one with Quant results and one without)!

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Important MassHunter Quant concepts and rules:
Quant methods
THE most common method problem: Calibration/QC level
names in Batch and Quant method do not match, e.g.
Batch: levels are 1,2,5, QC-Lo, QC-Hi
Method: levels are L1, L2L5, QC-Low, QC-High
2
2nd most common problem: a hidden column in the Method with
a key parameter, e.g. Criteria in MRM Compound Setup for
peak selection, or Ion Polarity if method created manually.
Many Quant parameters can be copied between compounds
with Apply to All button.
When
Wh iin d doubt,
bt Ri
Right-Click
ht Cli k tto llook
k ffor convenient
i t ffeatures
t and
d
shortcuts, like Fill Down or Fill Column.

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MassHunter Quant
optimizing target compound identification
Make the Criteria column visible in MRM Compound Setup:

Using the default of Greatest Response may result in the

wrong peak being chosen as the target compound:

Endogenous interference with

wrong retention time incorrectly
identified as tramadol
(no qualifier)

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MassHunter Quant
optimizing target compound identification
Change the Criteria to be more specific:

This might still not be selective

enough, so specify how close Now the offending peak with the
wrong RT is ignored:
the retention time must match
the calibrated RT with Non-
reference Window parameter in
Gl b l
Globals:

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MassHunter Quant
optimizing target compound identification
Qualifying the Qualifier:
For qualifiers, you can ensure that the qualifier and the quant ion have the
same retention time (i(i.e.
e line up properly as they should if coming from the
same chromatographic peak), by setting the Correlation Window in
Globals correctly. The default of 2 minutes is
WAY too large.
large

The Ignore Peaks Not Found checkbox will prevent reporting

"Amount=0.00" for target compounds not present with your criteria.

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MassHunter Quant
Setting a reporting threshold:
You can also make Quant ignore peaks that meet these criteria but are
below your desired detection or reporting threshold, or that really are
background (if you cant
can t use Qualifiers)
Qualifiers). Set a Peak Filter (area reject)
value in Advanced Tasks Integration Parameters.

You can have the same Peak Filter for all compounds with Apply to All, or specific values for
p
each compound. You can also limit integration
g to the N largest
g p
peak(s),
( ), like only
y one in this
example.

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MassHunter Quantitation Integrators:

General
Universal
MS/MS requires 64 data points within window

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What's new in MassHunter Quant B.03.02
(just type 'What's
What s new'
new in the Online Help!)

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What's new in MassHunter Quant B.03.02
Something for everybody

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What's new in MassHunter Quant B.03.02
More legibly:
Software Enhancements (some are instrument-specific)

Approximately
Approximately 10 times faster batch analysis processing
Compound Math !
Metrics plot (e.g. for IS areas)
Support for QQQ dynamic MRM data
More
More integrator choices: Universal"
Universal (ChemStation) and GC/MS/MS integrators
Fixed graphics to lowest calibration level
Signal to noise setup
Continuing calibration
Dynamic
Dynamic background subtraction
Standard addition calibration
Compound library setup and searching
Peak purity and deconvolution
More
More choices in the Generate Reports dialog (e
(e.g.
g no graphics)

Direct Link to Getting Started Videos and Familiarization Guide

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Final recommendation for learning MassHunter
Quant:

Uses data
files
included
with the
software

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