PNNL

Abstract

Abstract. Important factors that limit the mass measurement accuracy from a mass spectrometer are related to (1) the type of mass analyzer used and (2) the data processing/calibration methods used to obtain mass values from the raw data. Here, two data processing methods are presented that correct for systematic deviations when measuring the mass of ions using a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The first fitting method is one where m/z values are obtained from fitting peak distributions using double Gaussian functions. A second calibration method takes into account the slight non-linear response of the time-of-flight analyzer in addition to the drift in the calibration over time. Using multivariate regression, both of these two effects can be corrected for using a single calibration formula. Achievable performance was evaluated with a trypsin digestion of serum albumin and proteins from the organism D. radiodurans that were analyzed using gradient reverse-phase liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization orthogonal TOF mass spectrometer. The root mean square deviation between the theoretical and experimental m/z for serum albumin was found to be 8 ppm using the double Gaussian-multivariate method compared to 29 ppm determined using linear calibration and normal peak centroiding. An advantage of the methods presented here is that no calibrant compounds need to be added to the mobile phase, thereby avoiding interference effects and signal suppression of analytes.