Analytical Liquid Chromatography Unit

Introduction

The mission of the Analytical Liquid Chromatography Platform is to provide services and support to public and private entities in the clinical, pharmaceutical, agrochemical and food sectors.

The unit’s staff has more than 15 years of experience in the use of various chromatographic techniques and in the identification and quantification of metabolites. The unit has staff who are highly specialized in operating the platform, both in terms of laboratory techniques for sample preparation and sample analysis.

The platform’s services are available to staff from both the INCLIVA Foundation itself and other public and private institutions.

Services

Sample preparation and extraction.

Identification and/or quantification of selected organic compounds (targeted) (analyte mass range: 50–2,000 Da) in complex samples using UHPLC–MS/MS, including:

• Natural or synthetic products (flavonoids, steroids, fatty acids, alkaloids, etc.).
• Pharmaceuticals and/or their structural derivatives.
• Substances of abuse and narcotics.
• Insecticides or herbicides.

Analysis of data obtained from sample analyses using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS).

Consulting services for projects based on UHPLC–MS/MS.

Equipment

Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC, Nerexa model, Shimadzu) system coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (LCMS-8040 model, Shimadzu).

Ions are generated using the electrospray ionization (ESI) technique coupled with a tandem mass spectrometry detector (ESI-MS/MS). This LC-MS/MS system allows for the detection and precise determination of the concentration of a compound in an unknown sample. The analysis method used is multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), which allows the fragmentation patterns (precursor ion, product ion) of a specific analyte to be defined, thereby creating a highly specific analyte pair. Furthermore, MRM is coupled with the retention time (tR) of the analyte, obtained via liquid chromatography, resulting in high selectivity and specificity.

Triple quadrupole mass spectrometry is a versatile tool that can be adapted to a wide range of applications. This LC-MS/MS system enables the detection and precise determination of an analyte’s concentration in an unknown sample.

The equipment was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Quality

The Unit is ISO 9001:2015 certified.