Agilent Ultivo Triple Quadrupole LC/MS

Significance of the Topic

The ability to perform highly sensitive, selective, and rapid quantitative analyses across diverse sample types is a cornerstone of modern analytical chemistry. Triple quadrupole liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) is widely used in food safety, environmental monitoring, clinical research, forensic toxicology, and pharmaceutical development. Recent innovations focus on reducing instrument footprint, simplifying maintenance, and boosting throughput without compromising performance.

Study Objectives and Overview

This white paper introduces the Agilent Ultivo Triple Quadrupole LC/MS system, a compact instrument designed to deliver the power and accuracy of larger platforms while occupying 70% less bench space. The goals are to demonstrate how novel hardware and software features enhance sample throughput, reliability, and data quality, and to showcase performance across representative application areas.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The Ultivo system integrates several enabling technologies to maximize ion transmission, reduce downtime, and streamline workflows:

• Vortex Collision Cell: accelerates MS/MS scanning and minimizes crosstalk.
• Cyclone Ion Guide: focuses more ions into the detector for improved sensitivity.
• VacShield Ion Injector: simplifies maintenance by protecting the high-vacuum region.
• Agilent Jet Stream Ion Source: enhances desolvation and ion generation over varied LC flow rates.
• Hyperbolic Quadrupole Assembly with Virtual Pre/Post-Filters: provides superior mass transmission and faster switching for high numbers of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions.
• Intelligent Diagnostics and Early Maintenance Feedback: monitor key performance metrics in real time and prompt planned maintenance to avoid unexpected downtime.

Used Instrumentation

• Agilent Ultivo Triple Quadrupole LC/MS system
• Agilent InfinityLab LC series (1260 Infinity II Prime and 1290 Infinity II)
• Agilent Poroshell 120 columns with Quick-Connect/Quick-Turn fittings
• Agilent MassHunter software suite and OpenLab ECM 3.5 for data acquisition, analysis, and compliance

Main Results and Discussion

Food and Environmental Analysis:
The Ultivo system quantified 251 pesticides in black tea at 5 ng/g (half the maximum residue limit), demonstrating selective MRMs and robust signal stability.
Over 26 hours, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in quality control samples showed consistent response without internal standard correction.

Clinical Research:
The instrument achieved simultaneous quantitation of up to 15 antiepileptic drugs in human serum in 8 minutes with dynamic MRM overlays.
Free testosterone in serum was analyzed over four orders of magnitude (1 pg/mL to 100 ng/mL) in a 6‐minute cycle with R2 > 0.999.

Forensic Toxicology:
Composite MRMs enabled detection of synthetic opioids and designer drugs in under 6 minutes.
Low-QC opioid urine samples yielded linear, reproducible quantitation of multiple analytes essential for rapid forensic casework.

Pharmaceutical ADME Studies:
High‐throughput assays for eight drugs in serum were completed in under 4 minutes with ppt‐level sensitivity.
MassHunter and OpenLab ECM integration provided full data integrity, secure electronic signatures, and audit trails compliant with 21 CFR Part 11.

Robustness and Uptime:
Over 1,530 sequential injections of pesticides in avocado matrix demonstrated stable MRM peak areas across five days without normalization.
Early Maintenance Feedback counters alerted users to schedule preventive upkeep, minimizing unplanned downtime.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The Ultivo system enables laboratories to:

• Triple sample throughput in existing space thanks to its compact footprint.
• Accelerate data processing with streamlined MassHunter Productivity Apps and Quant-My-Way interfaces, reducing hands-on time by up to 40%.
• Maintain consistent performance with real-time diagnostics and simplified maintenance routines.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and data integrity across R&D, QC, and GMP environments.

Future Trends and Possibilities

As laboratories evolve toward greater automation, remote monitoring, and data‐driven decision making, the integration of compact, high‐performance mass spectrometers with cloud‐enabled software and artificial intelligence will be key. Further miniaturization of ion optics and advanced collision cell designs may enable portable MS/MS devices for field applications in environmental and clinical settings. The synergy between instrument innovation and laboratory informatics promises increased throughput, predictive maintenance, and real‐time quality control across multi‐site networks.

Conclusion

The Agilent Ultivo Triple Quadrupole LC/MS system offers a transformative blend of size reduction, simplified maintenance, and uncompromised analytical performance. It addresses critical needs in throughput, reliability, and regulatory compliance across diverse application areas. By combining novel hardware modules with intuitive software tools, Ultivo empowers laboratories to meet current challenges and adapt to emerging analytical demands.

References

No external literature references were provided in the original text.