Tips & Suggestions

Improve Peak Shapes in LC-MS: Add 10 µM EDTA or Medronic Acid to the Mobile Phase

Poor peak shapes—especially for polyprotic acids and nucleotides—can often be traced back to metal contamination. These metals may leach from:

• Glass solvent bottles
• Autosampler vials
• Internal components of the LC-MS system

The extent of this issue can vary significantly between instruments, so it's important to identify the specific source of peak distortion in your setup.

Suggested Solution

To mitigate metal-related peak tailing or distortion, consider adding 10 µM EDTA or medronic acid to your mobile phase. These chelating agents can bind trace metals, improving peak symmetry and reproducibility.

Note: Always verify compatibility with your method and instrument before modifying mobile phase composition.