Simple and universal tool to remove on-line impurities in mono- or two-dimensional liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis

Several recurrent problems have always hindered mono-dimensional liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry proteomic analyses. Polymer contamination is a major problem because polymers could co-elute with compounds of interest (peptides). In this case spectral suppression degrades dynamic range and sensitivity. Polyethylene glycol derivatives count among the major contaminants. They are targeted in this work. They are eluted at 35–40% acetonitrile from C18 phase in every single reversed-phase run. Moreover, they are also observed in two-dimensional liquid chromatography in every salt fraction. A simple and robust method is presented here for rapid and efficient on-line removal of these impurities using self-regenerating purification microdevices.