Single HRMS for both small and large molecule applications (Waters Xevo qTOF)?
Hi there,
I am specialized in the small molecule world, and have never touched anything large molecule. Now, my manager wants us to start analyzing large molecules, from peptides, polysaccharides, to complex polymers. We are a small lab and only have HPLCs, a single quad GC-MS, and a HRMS (Waters Xevo G2-XS). My question is the qTOF. We still use this for small molecule needs (mainly impurity screening and residue analysis). I know that Xevo can be used for both small molecule and large molecule analyses but I thought that it is generally dedicated to one way, not both. Is there anyone who uses single instrument for both small and large molecule applications and switch them frequently?
I am specifically asking if anyone does this on a Waters HRMS. Years ago, when I had a training on a Synapt, the trainer told me that she would not recommend to use Synapt for both applications because the Waters calibration solution mix for large molecule has a component (I don’t recall exactly but somewhere below m/z 200) that sticks to the instrument and could cause a calibration issue when switching back to the small molecule application. I wonder if that’s true. I would love to hear your experience on a Xevo qTOF. Thanks!