Improvement in LC–MS calibration by addition of fragment signals

Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry has become a powerful analytical tool, with high selectivity and sensitivity. Usually in this technique, the calibration function is estimated from the molecular peak signal. This report describes the improvement in sensitivity when the signals from several fragments in addition to the molecular peak are used to establish the calibration function. The influence of the dwell time has also been analysed as an important instrumental parameter that influences the signal range, and consequently, the sensitivity. The calibration function obtained by adding fragment signals was used to estimate the instrumental detection limit using three different procedures, comparing and discussing the results obtained.