Xevo MRT Mass Spectrometer

Importance of the Topic

The ability to acquire high-resolution, high-accuracy mass spectral data at rapid scan rates is critical for modern analytical chemistry. Applications such as metabolomics, lipidomics, environmental screening and pharmaceutical discovery require confident compound identification in complex matrices, high throughput to meet laboratory demands and robust performance over extended runs.

Objectives and Study Overview

This work presents the design and performance evaluation of the Xevo™ MRT mass spectrometer. Goals include demonstrating mass resolution and accuracy independent of acquisition speed, assessing instrument stability and dynamic range, and illustrating integration with end-to-end workflows for comprehensive data processing.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Multi-reflecting time-of-flight analyzer with a 4 m flight path and 8 reflections to achieve high resolving power.
• Dual-gain analogue-to-digital converter and novel pusher acquisition system for extended dynamic range and long-term stability.
• Quadrupole precursor selection, collision cell for MS/MS and gridless mirror optics.
• Coupling to Waters ACQUITY™ Premier ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography system.
• Acquisition rates up to 100 Hz while maintaining 100 000 FWHM resolution and sub-ppm mass accuracy.

Key Results and Discussion

The Xevo MRT achieved:

• 100 000 FWHM resolution at acquisition rates up to 100 Hz, consistent across the m/z range.
• Mass measurement accuracy better than 0.5 ppm under high-throughput conditions.
• Maintained ~80 000 resolution and peak area RSD <8 % across scan rates from 1 to 20 Hz.
• Mass accuracy of 380 ppb for lipid analytes in complex cell extracts over hundreds of injections.
• Robust performance enabling reproducible data quality in extended studies.

Benefits and Practical Applications of the Method

The combination of high resolution, speed and accuracy enhances confidence in compound identification at low concentrations, reduces data review times and boosts laboratory productivity. The benchtop design and stable operation make the system well suited for routine QA/QC, high-throughput biomarker discovery and detailed profiling of metabolites and lipids.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Continued development may include integration of AI-driven data interpretation, higher multiplexing capabilities, real-time processing and expansion into proteomics and exposomics workflows. Enhanced connectivity with open data formats and third-party software will further streamline analytical pipelines.

Conclusion

The Xevo MRT mass spectrometer delivers uncompromised high resolution and sub-ppm accuracy at unmatched scan rates in a compact, robust platform. Its reliable performance and flexible connectivity support a wide range of modern analytical challenges, enabling laboratories to achieve exceptional science every day.

Reference

• HUPO Proteomics Standards Initiative
• MS-DIAL (RIKEN PSC)
• MZmine (open-source mass-spectrometry platform)
• XCMS (The Scripps Research Institute)