Specification for GC-MS/MS System for Pesticide Residue Analysis

The GC-MS/MS system should be a triple quadrupole instrument suitable for the analysis of pesticide residues such as cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and cyhalothrin. The system must include a high-performance gas chromatograph with an EI ion source and mass analyzer capable of operating in full scan, SIM, and MRM modes. The GC should have a split/splitless injector, programmable oven (ambient +5°C to 450°C), and support for multiple temperature ramps. The MS should offer a mass range of m/z 10–1000, rapid MRM acquisition with high sensitivity (

Thank you Dr Balamurugan Krishnamoorthy for providing the information.

Madhvi Jugnarain,

You have to check literature for those molecules like available method and quantification limit or any literature has mentioned Limit of Detection (LOD) or Limit of Quantification (LOQ) value so that you will come to know the concentration for the lower quantification. Also, check any GC-MS/MS data is available for these molecules fragmentation and quantification will help to select GC-MS/MS. I would like to Prefer Agilent make GC-MS/MS latest higher sensitivity model.

Beyond the basic specs for the type of system you need (which you can find anywhere with a keyword search), very little of these generic specs will matter. The only thing that matters is how well can the instrument detect the specific samples that YOU are interested in AND how easy it is to use (by an experienced operator). How well the system detects some standards used in all GC-MS-MS systems really is of little importance. MS standards are not the same as real world samples (Most MS Standards are specifically selected for EASY detection under a wide range of conditions!).

Contact the main vendors that you are considering a purchase from and schedule with them a "DEMO" day, at their application laboratory to run your own samples under the supervision of their experienced application scientist. Prepare real samples of the most important compounds you wish to analyze in one method (no more than 5 different compounds). This should be attended by two or three scientists from your company at most, all of which should be experienced chromatographers who may/will use the system. The key here is to spend time with their expert learning a little bit about how to use their system for an actual sample analysis. You will see how the provided software works (very important as some software is really bad), the basic operations of the system and gain insight into how to use the instrument (and how well it does analyzing your samples). You should provide a brand new column and tested method for the analysis (and provide this to the vendor in advance so they can prep everything for your visit). Coordinate this with each vendor and at the conclusion of these tests, you will be able to know with greater confidence which system will meet your needs.

When choosing a GC-MS/MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry), you should focus on the following specifications:

First, core detection capabilities, including mass range, mass deviation, mass accuracy, and detection limit.

Second, chromatographic performance, including temperature control accuracy, programmable temperature ramping capability, and column oven temperature range.

Also, consider the ion source type and data acquisition mode.