To convert the peak areas to mass of analyte, whether from mass chromatograms or from selected ion monitoring, the peak areas must be calibrated. The two main strategies are based on external and internal standards. With external standards, the area of one or more mass chromatogram is calibrated with a known amount of the analyte injected into the GC-MS in a different experiment. Detection limits
of a few nanograms can be achieved with this technique. However, the strategy that gives the most accurate quantitative results is the use of internal standards, which are known amounts of compounds added to the sample before isolation of the analytes begins. After sample extraction and cleanup, only the ratio of response between the analyte and the internal standard must be measured. This ratio multiplied by the amount of the internal standard gives the amount of the analyte injected into the GC-MS system.This can be converted to concentration using the correct dilution factors.