Quantify Trace-Level Compounds in Water with the Agilent 1200 Infinity Series Online SPE Solutions

Nov 12 2013

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) is a powerful technique for sample preparation and analyte enrichment, but it usually requires time-consuming manual offline processing steps. The Agilent 1200 Infinity Series Online SPE solutions help scientists to more efficiently enrich analytes, remove matrix components, and lower detection limits for applications such as trace-level water analysis.

Online SPE LC-MS/MS in one step

The modular design of the valve-based Agilent Online SPE solutions incorporates the Agilent 1290 Infinity Flexible Cube coupled with an Agilent 6400 Series Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer. The Flexible Cube houses reusable SPE cartridges and up to two valves. Valve heads are easy to mount on the valve drives thanks to Agilent’s Quick-Change valve technology. A built-in pump flushes the sample onto the cartridges.

An extensive portfolio of valves makes it easy to customise Online SPE solutions for applications such as:

Direct injection
Multi-SPE
High volume injection
Flask sampling

The high precision and accuracy of the Agilent 1200 Infinity Series Online SPE solutions can be demonstrated in a broad range of applications.

Example: Online SPE enrichment of antibiotics allows detection down to 1 ppt

The table below shows antibiotics identified in drinking water at trace levels down to 1 ppt (LOQ) and with area deviations of less than 6%.

Name	RT (min)	Molecular mass	Molecular ion	Fragmentor	Quantifier ion	CE	Qualifier ion	CE
Vancomycin	10.25	1,447.43	724.80	120	144.0	12	100.1	40
Trimethoprim	11.37	290.13	291.14	150	230.1	20	123.0	24
Ormetoprim	11.88	274.14	275.15	150	259.1	24	123.0	24
Cefotaxime	12.27	455.05	456.06	110	125.0	52	126.0	44
Tetracycline	12.44	444.15	445.16	90	410.1	16	154.0	28
Ornidazole	13.01	219.04	220.04	100	128.0	12	82.1	32
Chlorotetracycline	14.31	478.11	479.12	125	444.1	20	462.1	12
Sulfamethoxazole	15.11	253.95	254.06	95	92.1	28	108.0	20
Oxolinic acid	16.08	261.06	262.07	85	244.0	16	216.0	28
Erythromycin	16.79	733.46	734.50	120	158.1	32	576.0	16
Tylosin	17.55	915.51	916.52	155	174.1	40	772.4	28
Nalidixic acid	18.19	232.08	233.09	85	215.1	8	187.0	24
Flumequine	18.66	261.08	262.08	75	244.0	12	202.0	32

The molecular ion of vancomycin is [M+2H]²⁺; all others are [M+H]⁺.
Fragmentor = voltage (V)
RT = retention time (min)
CE = collision energy (eV)

Table: MRM and DMRM MS method shows the optimum fragmentor and collision energy values for the individual antibiotics. Also shown are molecular, quantifier, and qualifier ions.

Download free application notes and watch a video demonstration of the Agilent Online SPE solutions online.