Agilent's Optimizer Software

[LabRat08069]

Is anyone familiar with the Optimizer software? I am only familiar with Agilent's MassHunter Quantitation software but I am diving into the entire MassHunter suite (MRM, dMRM, qual) in my attempt to start method development/validation). I am working with 32 compounds (including analytes and ISTDs), do these all need to be injected individually in the Optimizer program? Or can I make a standard with all of them and just run it through Optimizer once? I tried to do them all at once but for most of them, it yielded no data! Also, any idea what concentration I should be making these standards (I mean just for the optimizer portion). Thank You!!

[H.Thomas]

Hi LabRat,
you could use a mixed Standard for optimization, but I would not recommend it. If you did, you would need a method that chromatographically seperates all compounds. If you have coelution, chances are that the software finds wrong masses. So I would advise you to prepare either 32 standards or maybe only 16 with 2 well separeted compounds in each vial. If you use a column for optimization, which is what I usually do. Concentrations around 1000 µg/L usually work well.
Prepare a short isocratic method of 2-3 min. Then put all your standards in the autosampler and set up the optimizer Software. It runs unattended.

If you get no data, either your concentration is too low or your optimizer parameters are wrong. I always check in Scan-mode if I get what I expect. Sometimes you don't see [M+H], but [M+Na ] oder [M+NH4] instead.

Best regards,
Hartmut

[cott1]

I am very familiar with Optimizer. Here are some rules:
1. best is to inject individual compound
2. If you must to combine - less is more
3. make sure you acidify your targets!!!! Ionization is a key
4. Concentration must be 3-10ppm
5. inject slow( use short column to generate back pressure)
6. does not matter what LC method is... I like 50/50 water/organic
7. literature info might not be your best solution-don't panic
8. think of loss/gain of water when calculate your molecular weight
9. Make sure you calibrated your MS in both modes... you might try positive or negative .. so be ready
Natalie