Polar microcystins or arginine methyl ester can serve as sensitive reference materials for system suitability tests in untargeted metabolomics using reversed-phase LC-MS: A case study

Abstract Introduction LC-MS system suitability test (SST) is crucial for reliable data acquisition especially in untargeted metabolomics. Objectives Identification of best reference materials (RMs) to improve best quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) practices. Methods Investigations were performed using a C 18 reversed-phase (RP) column LC-MS approach. Results Targeted cyanotoxin analysis revealed a performance loss of the used C 18 RP column although the SST confirmed a fit for purpose instrument which prompted to test several additional RMs. Conclusion QA procedures for LC-MS can be improved by incorporating polar microcystins or arginine methyl ester as RMs for SST.