I'm trying to identify methylene blue and its photo-degraded products using Varian 500-MS system in ESI mode. We're using the system in direct mode (sample injected directly to MS)
"Optimum"? Each LC-MS system will have to be individually "optimized" for the specific HPLC method and sample. There are no single set of conditions which would work on all LC-MS systems. Start by optimizing the chromatographic method (the HPLC separation of methylene blue and related substances is generally very simple by RP), then work on optimizing the MS detector to the method used.
Than you Dr. Bill for your time. Actually, I should've mentioned that (I'll update the question) we're using the system in direct mode (sample injected directly to MS). So I guess we don't need to optimize LC method. Can you please direct me on optimizing a MS method for a particular analyte ? (Some documents/links..)
This would be much easier if you were first to separate the individual compounds, then use the MS to aid in identification (LC-MS). That is how we do it professionally.
Your second question of how to use and operate a MS system is a different issue. I strongly suggest that you contact the person in charge of the MS system and seek expert help in learning to use the MS system. It can take many, many years to learn how to correctly operate a MS system and I suspect that you do not have that amount of time available. As such, it will be to your advantage to have a local expert help you operate the system and optimize the method. This will insure that the data generated is scientifically valid and you do not cause very expensive damage to the system (a MS system can easily be used to generate incorrect and false data with little effort).
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