Effect of Sample Matrix on Suppression of Ionization in Water Samples Using LC-ESI-MS Application

Liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is a very powerful technique that combines the liquid chromatography separation with highly selective and sensitive mass detection, but the ionization process is susceptible to matrix signal suppression. Signal suppression, therefore, presents a challenge in doing quantitative liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry applications. Using the Agilent Technologies 1100 series quadrupole mass spectrometry system coupled to an Agilent Technologies 1100 series liquid chromatography system revealed that the greatest part of the ion suppression phenomenon is largely due to compounds in the extracted sample that were carried through the extraction.