ClearView™ GCMS reprocessing software
Improving the (TD-)GCMS analysis of trace compounds
ClearView™ software uses sophisticated Dynamic Background Compensation (DBC) algorithms to distinguish between chromatographic peaks and GC-background/baseline anomalies. It reprocesses stored GCMS data files, eliminating background ions from the total ion chromatogram (TIC) and improving both spectral purity and peak integration.
The software is fast, intuitive and works on most standard GCMS data file formats. Files can be processed individually or as a batch for optimum efficiency. Processing takes about 3 seconds per file and none of the original GCMS data/information is lost.
ClearView - Summary of main advantages
- Enhances automatic identification of trace target analytes and unknowns in complex samples
- Selectively eliminates interference – flattening baselines, simplifying integration and improving sensitivity
- Simpler integration helps improve quantitative accuracy and run-to-run reproducibility
- ClearView processing is purely additive - original GCMS data files remain intact and uncompromised
- Reduces costs and boosts lab throughput
Eliminating system and sample background
GC column bleed, ‘humps’ of unresolved sample matrix, extended solvent ‘tails’ and air ingress can all contribute to the background response, compromising both spectral purity and peak integration accuracy. ClearView provides an innovative solution:
ClearView: Improving compound identification
The following three figures illustrate the effect of high GCMS background on compound identification and how this is addressed using ClearView.
TD-GCMS analysis of landfill gas, showing extreme column bleed. Original TIC data shown (black) together with ClearView reprocessed data (blue)
Automatic analysis of the original GCMS data file does not correctly identify the trace component at 16.486 minutes because high level background ions interfere with the mass ion fragmentation (MIF) pattern
Automatic analysis of the ClearView reprocessed data file shows greatly enhanced spectral purity allowing automatic identification of this trace component as thiophene
ClearView: Enhancing sensitivity
By minimising GCMS background ion contributions ClearView reduces noise and increases sensitivity in full scan mode. In the above example, thiophene has a S/N ratio of /Administration3.0 (RMS) in the original GCMS data file versus a S/N of /Administration30 in the ClearView reprocessed data file. This is a significant increase in sensitivity.
ClearView: Enhancing quantitative accuracy and repeatability
By minimising GCMS background ion contributions, ClearView provides a flatter baseline facilitating more accurate and repeatable automatic integration. Furthermore, it does this without compromising any of the mass ions contributing to the chromatographic peak.
TIC analysis of trace levels (3 pg on column) of octafluoronapthalene (OFN) in diesel using high speed chromatography and Time-of-Flight (TOF) MS. 5 minute run time. Original GCMS data (black) shown overlaid with ClearView reprocessed data (blue)
Diesel data shown in extracted ion mode.
Note identical peak area/height for OFN 272 signal indicating that peak-related information is not lost using ClearView
3 overlaid repeat high speed GC-TOF MS analyses of OFN-spiked diesel, all reprocessed using ClearView. Full run (top), expanded area (bottom). Excellent integration (baseline assignment) and repeatability shown
If the original data from this series of 3 analyses is overlaid (i.e. as above but without ClearView reprocessing) the reduction in integration accuracy (baseline assignment) and repeatability are clearly seen
ClearView: Enhancing and de-skilling GCMS productivity
By reducing the need for time-consuming manual re-integration of complex total ion chromatograms by skilled GCMS technicians, ClearView simultaneously improves data quality and lab productivity for minimal cost.
