Increasing LC–MS–MS Sensitivity with Luna HILIC

A. Carl Sanchez, Monika M. Kansal, Art Dixon, Philip J. Koerner and Terrell Mathews, Phenomenex Inc., Torrance, California, USA.

The analysis of polar compounds in support of clinical and pre-clinical pharmacokinetic studies requires an analytical methodology capable of achieving ultra-low detection and quantification limits. The high sensitivity afforded by coupling HPLC with tandem mass spectrometry (MS–MS) has made it the technique of choice in this environment, but it is subject to the following limitations when reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) is used:

Figure 1

1. Polar compound elution in a highly aqueous mobile phase: Gas phase ion generation is facilitated with more volatile solvents;¹ therefore, the high water content used for RPLC retention of polar compounds decreases desolvation efficiency. In addition the highly aqueous mobile phase required for retention of polar compounds increases solvent surface tension, which decreases ESI spray stability.²

2. Polar compound elution in the primary ion suppression region: Poorly retained compounds in RPLC increase the likelihood of analyte compounds eluting with the many endogenous compounds present in bioanalytical samples. These endogenous compounds compete for charge in the source and can suppress analyte ionization, reducing sensitivity and degrading LOD and LOQ. It is critical that a robust bioanalytical method separate analytes from the ion suppression region.³

Luna HILIC columns allow for improved sensitivity in the analysis of complex bioanalytical samples by creating more favourable conditions for polar compound retention and ionization.

Experiment

On the Luna HILIC column, atenolol in a high organic volatile mobile phase, which facilitates analyte desolvation and results in enhanced LC–MS–MS sensitivity.

Figure 2

Polar metabolites are weakly retained under RPLC conditions and elute near the solvent front, often in the "primary ion suppression region".

Under HILIC chromatographic conditions, where polar analytes are retained using high organic mobile phase, Luna HILIC strongly retains polar compounds that are otherwise weakly retained in RPLC.

Conclusion

The Luna HILIC column retains and elutes hydrophilic/polar compounds in highly organic mobile phase conditions, which improve analyte desolvation efficiency and ESI spray stability. The combination of these two improvements in the MS interface will often provide improved polar analyte detection and quantification.

In HILIC mode, analyte elution in the primary ion suppression region is avoided as a result of the mode's increased retention of hydrophilic compounds. This increased retention for polar compounds regularly results in less interference from endogenous sample compounds, improved sensitivity and accuracy, and reduced LOD and LOQ. The Luna HILIC column meets the requirements of a robust bioanalytical method by eluting analytes outside the primary ion suppression region.

It has been shown here that Luna HILIC columns can improve LC–MS–MS sensitivity of polar compounds in biological matrices in support of clinical and preclinical pharmacokinetic studies where ultra-low detection and quantification limits are highly desirable.

References

1. N.B. Cech, C.G. Enke, Mass Spectrom. Rev., 20, 362–387 (2001).

2. P.J. Kerbarle, J. Mass. Spectrom., 35, 804–817 (2000).

3. B.K. Matuszewski, M.L. Constanzer and C.M. Chavez-Eng, Anal. Chem., 75, 3019–3030 (2003).

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