Quantitation of polypeptides (glucagon and salmon calcitonin) in plasma samples by ‘high resolution’ on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer

Background: Bioanalysis of large molecules can be challenging on LC–MS/MS due to multiply charged and endogenous interferences. While high sensitivity triple quadrupole systems (QqQ) have been commercialized recently, high-resolution MS (HRMS) systems are also available. HRMS provides alternative analysis methods, but more costly and with sensitivity lower than MRM on QqQ. Results: QqQ is generally operated at unit resolution; however, newer systems are able to practically tune to ‘high resolution’. Therefore, the advantages of both higher sensitivity of MRM on QqQ and better specificity on HRMS can possibly be combined on a QqQ to meet bioanalysis needs. Glucagon and salmon...