A platform using Dionex ion chromatography (IC) coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS) was developed to measure various metabolites in Brassica napus seeds. The IC tandem mass spectrometry (IC-MS/MS) technique provides a good tool to identify and quantify metabolites in a complex matrix.

Here, the author describes an ion-exchange system that provides good separation of the polar metabolities with on-line desalting to allow MS detection. This technique will allow studies of key metabolites that do not separate well on traditional reversed-phase columns. Some ionic metabolites may be positional isomers adjacent to each other in a synthetic pathway and as such, are isobaric. In such cases, MS is not sufficient to differentiate the two compounds. There is clearly a need for adequate separation techniques for isomeric metabolites.

This application demonstrates the analysis of inorganic anions and anions of organic acids in waste liquor from wood extracts. The sample matrix and the contaminant were removed from the components of interest using an IonPac NG1 column as an additional guard column. This application requires an autosampler equipped with 10-port valve. With this configuration, IonPac NG1 column is placed in line with the analytical column, while a second column rinsed in counter flow direction with acetonitrile/water, followed by a conditioning step using sodium hydroxide.

Ion Chromatography is a simple and accurate technique for the analysis and quantification of charged species. This application note describes the use of ion exchange chromatography and ion exclusion chromatography in the pharmaceutical industry for the analysis of ions in ingredients and final products. The topic of cleaning validation is also discussed as it applies to charged species. Here shows the separation of several weak organic acids by ion exclusion chromatography using an IonPac ICE-AS6 column.

Ionic forms of air pollutants are analyzed here using anion-exchange chromatography and suppressed conductivity. The gas sample included particles < 2.5 um (PM2.5) was collected using ambient ion monitoring and then dissolved in deionized water. The dissolved inorganic anions and organic acids were separated on a 4 mm i.d. IonPac AS11-HC column and detected by suppressed conductivity. This method provided analysis of more ionic contaminants than standard methods (EPA Method 26A) and ASTM D5085-02). An ICS-6000 can be used for this application.