| Parameters negatively affected by contaminants | What it is | How to minimize contaminants |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | Lowest level of analyte detectable above background; sensitivity is reduced by ion suppression | Wash columns to mitigate column bleeding |
| Effective sample preparation | ||
| Use certified mobile phase | ||
| Reproducibility | Can mean column-to-column reproducibility or run-to-run reproducibility |
Prepare sample with devices that do not introduce extractable impurities |
| Run sufficient controls to verify run-to-run stability within a batch | ||
| Remove sample components that interfere with separation, ionization, and fragmentation | ||
| Use high-quality HPLC columns | ||
| Column Lifetime | Number of injections on a column without change in selectivity and efficiency | Eliminate sample contaminants that adsorb strongly or ionize easily. Avoid polymers that, when fragmented, result in multiple peaks of varying m/z. |
| Fully elute/clean column after each sample | ||
| Use guard column and proper sample preparation (such as centrifugation, filtration, and extraction) to remove particles and extend column lifetime. |