Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) in Modern Analytical Sciences: An Overview of Method Validation and Applications

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive overview of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), a powerful hyphenated analytical technique that combines the separation capabilities of liquid chromatography with the detection and structural elucidation strengths of mass spectrometry. LC-MS has become indispensable across diverse fields such as pharmaceuticals, bioinformatics, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics due to its high sensitivity, specificity, and ability to analyze complex biological matrices. The article highlights the evolution of LC-MS, emphasizing its applications in qualitative and quantitative analysis, enabling rapid method development, and providing detailed molecular information. Key components of LC-MS include liquid chromatography systems comprising pumps, sample injectors, and columns along with mass spectrometers responsible for ionization, separation, and detection of analytes based on their mass-to-charge ratios. The article also discusses important parameters such as sensitivity, specificity, and the concepts of selectivity and specificity, essential for method validation. Additionally, the principles of chromatographic separation, the significance of the interaction between mobile and stationary phases, and the instrumental aspects including detection techniques are elaborated. Overall, LC-MS represents a significant advancement in analytical science, offering unparalleled performance in analyzing complex samples with precision, efficiency, and broad applicability across scientific disciplines.