We, 28.10.2026 | Original article from: LabRulezLCMS Library
This week we bring you brochure by Metrohm and application notes by Shimadzu, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Waters Corporation!News from LabRulezLCMS Library - Week 44, 2026
LabRulez / AI: News from LabRulezLCMS Library - Week 44, 2026
Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezLCMS Library in the week of 26th October 2026? Check out new documents from the field of liquid phase, especially HPLC and LC/MS techniques!
👉 SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT LCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES
👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into LabRulezGCMS or LabRulezICPMS libraries.
1. Metrohm: OMNIS IC The new benchmark in ion chromatography
- Brochure
- Full PDF for download
Metrohm OMNIS IC is presented as a modular ion chromatography platform designed to combine flexibility, automation, reliability, and ease of use. The system is built from interchangeable functional units such as pumps, injectors, detectors, and dosing modules, allowing laboratories to configure the instrument according to current needs and expand it later as applications become more complex.
A major focus is automated routine operation. OMNIS IC can prepare eluents automatically, monitor fill levels and consumption, and perform inline sample-preparation steps such as ultrafiltration, dilution, and dialysis. The integrated autosampler can be equipped with barcode reading and additional liquid-handling options, while the software interface is designed around clear menus, icons, tooltips, and guided operation.
The platform also emphasizes self-monitoring and process control. It continuously tracks system status, including liquid levels, flows, and pressure, and uses pre-run and equilibration checks before measurements begin. The Multi Flow Monitor detects deviations in real time, while AutoPurge helps maintain a gas-free flow path and AutoRinse reduces carryover between sample series, supporting reproducible results and more reliable unattended operation.
OMNIS extends beyond ion chromatography by integrating multiple analytical techniques within one software environment. Ion chromatography, titration, and near-infrared spectroscopy can be managed on the same platform, allowing results from different techniques to be viewed and reported together for each sample. The brochure highlights drinking-water analysis as an example, where conductivity, pH, hardness, anions, and cations can be consolidated into a single report. Metrohm complements the platform with local service and application support in more than 170 countries.
2. Shimadzu: Analysis of Adsorbable Organic Fluorine (AOF) in Accordance with EPA 1621 Using Combustion Ion Chromatograph(CIC)
Efficient Workflow Using C-IC Solution
- Application note
- Full PDF for download
User benefits
- Entire process—from sample combustion to analysis—can be performed automatically by combination use of AQF-5000H automatic quick furnace and Nexera IC ion chromatograph.
- Integrated C-IC Solution software enables integrated operation of the combustion ion chromatograph and analysis in accordance with EPA 1621.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published EPA 16211), which is the screening method for the detection of AOF in solutions using combustion ion chromatograph (CIC). This method involves passing the sample through a granular activated carbon (GAC) column to adsorb AOF onto the activated carbon, followed by combustion to decompose AOF. The resulting gas from AOF is then captured in the adsorbent solution and measured asfluoride ions by ion chromatography. The advantage of CIC is that not only PFAS but also their degradation products and derivatives can be measured as the total amount of organic fluorinated compounds.
In this article, an AOF analysis using a CIC system consisting of an automatic combustion device and ion chromatograph, as well as integrated control software C-IC Solution, is introduced. Not only integrated controlling of combustion device and ion chromatograph, but also AOF analysis in accordance with EPA 1621 can be performed efficiently using C-IC Solution.
Instrumentation and analysis
AQF-5000H automatic quick furnace for CIC manufactured by Nittoseiko Analytech and Nexera IC suppression chromatograph for anion analysis manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation were employed as the combustion unit and the ion chromatograph of CIC, respectively.
C-IC Solution, integrated control software
C-IC Solution integrated control software enables centralized control of both combustion unit and ion chromatograph. It allows users to: (1) view the total time to complete the analysis; (2) confirm the current run number and the start time of the analysis; and (3) monitor the operational status of both combustion unit and ion chromatograph. Fig. 2 shows the analysis screen of C-IC Solution. When starting an analysis, simply enter the sample name and the number of calibration levels, and the software automatically creates analytical batch for combustion system and ion chromatograph; it is also possible to create an analytical schedule in accordance with EPA 1621.
Conclusion
In this article, AOF was successfully determined in accordance with EPA 1621 using C-IC system consisting of AQF-5000H automatic combustion unit Nittoseiko Analytech and the Nexera IC ion chromatograph from Shimadzu. The system demonstrated excellent precision and recovery performance in the IPR test, confirming itssuitability for reliable AOF screening. Beyond analytical performance, the combination of the AQF5000H, Nexera IC, and C-IC Solution provides a streamlined workflow from combustion and IC analysis to data processing and quality control evaluation. Through a single software platform, users can centrally control the entire CIC system, automate EPA 1621-compliant analytical sequences, and simplify QC assessment. This integrated workflow helps improve laboratory efficiency, reduce manual operations, and support consistent, reliable AOF analysis.
3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Precision pesticide residue detection in food: Unleashing the power of dual channel LC - Orbitrap Exploris EFOX mass detector
- Application note
- Full PDF for download
Application benefits
- Combine quantitation and screening capabilities: Precise quantitation of an extensive range of pesticide compounds using full-scan high-resolution acquisition, enabling both targeted and suspect screening, with capabilities for retrospective analysis.
- Regulatory compliance: Exceptional sensitivity, selectivity, repeatability, and robustness, ensuring consistent and accurate results to meet stringent quality control criteria.
- Quality: Engineered to meet stringent quality control criteria, including EC SANTE guidelines.¹
- Simple data processing and time savings: Simplifies method development by using full-scan data acquisition, thus eliminating the need to experimentally determine SRM transitions or maintain narrow retention time windows for a large number of compounds.
The World Health Organization reports that over one thousand different pesticides are used to protect crops from pests, boost yields, and reduce deterioration of agricultural products during post-harvest storage and transportation. However, improper pesticide use can contaminate the food supply, making it crucial to define and monitor pesticide residue targets to protect consumer health, support trade, and establish food regulatory controls.
As a result, laboratories must develop methods to detect, accurately identify, and quantify hundreds of different pesticides and their transformation products across various sample matrices, in compliance with maximum residue levels (MRLs) set by regulatory authorities.
Therefore, it is essential that workflows cover a broad range of pesticides, are sensitive and robust, and are as productive and efficient as possible to achieve regulatory compliance while meeting business goals such as return on investment (ROI), sample turnaround times, and cost-per-sample targets.
Analytical approach and methodology
Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry provides high sensitivity and specificity for detecting a wide range of pesticide compounds. Leveraging the high resolution and sensitivity of the Orbitrap Exploris EFOX mass detector, the analytical method has been developed with a low-volume food extract injection to ensure robustness while complying with regulatory limits of quantitation (LOQs). The strong solvent loop allows direct injection of QuEChERS extracts (acetonitrile) and reduces sample preparation time, as neither dilution nor reconstitution steps are required. The strong solvent loop also improves peak shape and reproducibility (stable retention times), given the highly aqueous initial mobile phase conditions, by reducing solvent mismatch effects. Using our dual channel LC system with two different column geometries for dedicated gradients, positive and negative compounds elute separately from each other. This maximizes overall sensitivity of the method as constant polarity switching is not required. The Thermo Scientific™ Vanquish™ Duo System and Thermo Scientific™ Chromeleon™ Chromatography Data System (CDS) streamline this process, delivering a combined data file for compounds analyzed in both positive and negative modes, thereby facilitating data processing.
Conclusions
- Accurate pesticides quantitation: The method enables the precise quantitation of 577 pesticides using full-scan highresolution acquisition in a targeted approach. Additionally, this configuration opens the door to suspect screening and provides the capability for retrospective analyses when new pesticides targets are added to regulatory lists.
- Regulatory compliance: The method demonstrated the ability to meet the limit of quantification required by regulations. This signifies that our workflow is capable of accurately and precisely determining the presence of pesticides at levels that comply with regulatory standards.
- Robust method: Proven robustness with consistent performance across multiple injections and different matrices (apple, tomato, and carrot extract), maintaining accuracy and stability without the need for maintenance or MS tuning.
- Validated performance: The method meets stringent validation criteria, including linearity (R² > 0.990), accuracy, precision, and robustness, with relative amount deviations well within acceptable limits.
For an alternative approach of this workflow, please refer to its twin application brief, run with the Thermo Scientific™ TSQ Altis™ Plus EFOX Edition Mass Spectrometer.
4. Waters Corporation: Development and Validation of an Automated Online SPE Kit Coupled to Xevo TQ-S micro for the Identification and Quantification of 48 PFAS in Environmental Water Matrices
- Application note
- Full PDF for download
Benefits
- Improved sensitivity and low (sub ng/L) detection limits for 48 PFAS on the Xevo™ TQ-S micro Mass Spectrometer under waters_connect™ for Quantitation Software control
- An automated online SPE workflow enabling high sample throughput with minimal analyst intervention, supporting extended and overnight operation
- Improved quantitative confidence across drinking, river, and groundwater samples through effective matrix clean-up and reduced matrix effects
- Better precision and reproducibility compared to manual offline SPE
- Reduced solvent consumption and single-use plastic waste compared to manual offline SPE, helping laboratories lower operating costs and environmental impact
PFAS are among the persistent organic pollutants characterized by their prevalence in the environment, high mobility, and adverse impact not only on the ecosystem but also on human health.1 Establishing accurate and robust analytical methods for PFAS representing the class chemical diversity is essential to determine their concentration for both regulatory monitoring and remediation processes.2,3 Since 2000, the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) has been the main legal instrument for water protection in Europe. Together with the Environmental Quality Standards Directive (EQSD) and the Groundwater Directive, it applies to inland, transitional and coastal surface waters, as well as groundwaters. The WFD covers surface water pollutants of greatest (EU-wide) concern by identifying them as priority substances, including a subset of priority hazardous substances. They are listed in Annex X to the Directive, and environmental standards are set for them in the EQSD. A new standard has been established for the sum of 25 PFAS (expressed as PFOA equivalents with an EQS as low as 0.0044 µg/L).4 In 2025, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) in England and Wales outlined the requirements for the monitoring of 48 PFAS (including 6:2 FTAB) with a cumulative limit of 100 ng/L in raw water sources that will ultimately be used for supplying drinking water.5
SPE is commonly used in routine PFAS analysis because it provides an effective and selective means of isolating trace-level compounds from complex environmental and biological matrices.6 Typically, many different PFAS are present within the sample at concentrations ranging from low ng/L to mg/L. A wide range of interfering substances may also coexist, making sample clean-up and pre-concentration essential for accurate quantitation. SPE enables both enrichment of analytes and the removal of matrix components, thus improving detection, sensitivity and analytical accuracy in subsequent LC–MS/MS or GC-MS/MS analysis. SPE methods based on weak anion-exchange (WAX) mechanisms are well suited to PFAS due to their ionic and amphiphilic nature, allowing strong retention and efficient recovery across a broad range of PFAS chemistries.7 As compared to other preparation techniques, SPE offers reproducibility, compatibility with regulatory methods, and scalability for high-throughput monitoring, making it a standard and reliable approach in PFAS analysis.8 However, offline SPE methods using vacuum manifold equipment are considered labor-intensive and prone to contamination.
Trap-and-elute 2D chromatography (2D-LC) is an online technique in which analytes are first retained and concentrated on a trapping column for matrix clean-up, then eluted onto an analytical column for chromatographic separation. Sample loading, washing, and elution occur on the first dimension. Switching valves allow the retained analytes to be transferred seamlessly onto the analytical column without manual intervention. In comparison to offline SPE, trap and elute chromatography offers significant benefits including improved efficiency and throughput by reducing hands-on time by automating the extraction steps. Multiple samples can be processed sequentially with minimal user input, making it ideal for high-throughput laboratories. Automation minimizes operator-dependent variability, leading to more consistent recoveries and better quantitative reliability compared to manual or offline SPE resulting in enhanced reproducibility and precision. Since the samples remain within a closed system, there is less risk of contamination, analyte loss, or degradation which are common issues in manual workflows involving multiple transfer steps. Online SPE typically uses smaller solvent volumes and eliminates the need for single use disposable SPE cartridges, reducing costs and environmental impact.9 The ability to interface directly with LC-MS improves sensitivity and limits critical points for analyte loss within the method, often enabling lower detection limits to be achieved.
Here, the development and evaluation of 2D-LC chromatography are described as a strategy to improve sensitivity, selectivity, and clean-up for the 48 PFAS by combining online sample pre-concentration with LCMS/MS using the Xevo TQ-S micro Mass Spectrometer.
Experimental
LC Conditions
Online SPE system:
- Waters Online SPE UPLC™-MS/MS Kit featuring
- Two ACQUITY™ UPLC Solvent Managers, HClass QSM and I-Class Plus with Binary Solvent Management (BSM) and Flow-Through Needle (FTN) modified with PFAS free solvent lines
- Atlantis™ Premier BEH™ C18 AX 5 µm, 2.1 x 50 mm Isolator Column (p/n: 186009407)
- CTC PAL-3 RSi Sample Manager (fitted with PFAS free parts)
MS Conditions
- MS system: Xevo TQ-S micro Mass Spectrometer
- Ionization mode: UniSpray™ Source, positive/ negative mode
Conclusion
This validation study, has demonstrated that:Automated online SPE kit coupled to the core-performance Xevo TQ-S micro Mass Spectrometer offers a method capable of accurate and precise quantitative performance in a range of environmental water samples in 24 minutes per sample. The method performance was shown to be excellent in terms of linearity, repeatability, accuracy and robustness. Depending on the complexity of the sample and requirement to correct for matrix effects, ILIS can be effectively used to improve quantitative performance.
The scope of the method covers the 48 PFAS currently included in the U.K. DWI guidelines (at the time of writing) with potential to expand the coverage to ultra-short chain PFAS and zwitterionic species based on the novel mixed mode SPE sorbent chemistry used.
Sensitivity, in terms of LLOQ in drinking water is sub ng/L, showing that the online clean up and concentration method coupled to a mid-tier TQ is suitable for checking compliance with current regulations including the EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184 (where applicable) and U.K. DWI Guidelines.
The automated online SPE method enables laboratories to increase sample throughput, reduce analyst hands-on time, minimize contamination risk and lower solvent and consumable usage compared with manual offline SPE. Up to 60 samples can be processed in a 24-hour period with minimal analyst intervention.
The waters_connect Software (AME, Sample Sub, MS ToolKit and MS Quan) were shown to significantly increase efficiency in terms of time reduction during all aspects of method development, validation, data processing and review phases.
