Orbitrap mass spectrometry with resolving powers above 1,000,000

Experiments on a modified Orbitrap Elite™ instrument have shown that Orbitrap™ technology is capable of resolving power in excess of 1,000,000 when appropriate tolerance and tuning requirements are met. Such levels are achieved for m/z < 300–400 within a 3 s detection time which makes it compatible with several types of chromatographic separations. It was shown that resolving powers over 500,000–1,000,000 allow resolution of fine isotopic structure and direct identification of some important post-translational modifications of peptides.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (94 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Ultra-high resolving power in excess of 1,000,000 using Orbitrap technology. ► Resolution of fine isotopic structure of minor isotopomers of peptides and small molecules. ► Direct identification of coeluting amidated and deamidated forms for mellitin and Substance P peptides. ► Baseline separation of isotopes of transferrin protein.