Nexera Mikros | Microflow LCMS System
Improvement in the sensitivity of an LC/MS/MS method can generally be achieved by reducing the analytical scale of the analysis. However, reducing the analytical scale significantly to nano-flow reduces the throughput, stability, and robustness as a trade-off for greater sensitivity. Nexera Mikros, a Shimadzu microflow LC/MS system, offers a balanced solution to increased sensitivity with less compromise to throughput and robustness, using flow rates from 1 to 500 μL/min and column I.D. from 0.1 to 1 mm. It achieves stable and sensitive quantitative analysis through robust performance of microflow solvent delivery, optimized ion source design, the unique UF-Link column connection, and system variety that supports a wide range of applications.
Nexera Mikros features
Improved Detection Limits with Microflow
- High Bioanalytical Sensitivity: Sensitivity remains a challenge for many vitamin D metabolites, such as 1,25(OH)2 di-hydroxyvitamin D and 24,25(OH)2 di-hydroxyvitamin D, because they lack easily ionizable functional groups and are in low-abundance. As shown below, microflow LC/MS/MS analysis of standard solutions of the aforementioned vitamin D analytes resulted in a three- to five-fold improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio when compared to semi-microflow analysis.
- Monoclonal Antibody Bioanalysis – Nexera™ Mikros and nSMOL™ Antibody BA Kit: nSMOL (nano-surface and molecular orientation limited proteolysis) is a proprietary, ground-breaking process that enables selective proteolysis of the Fab region of antibodies using trypsin-immobilized nanoparticles. Fab-derived peptides are quantified via MRM measurement on a high-sensitivity mass spectrometer. The Nexera Mikros system achieved signal intensities 12 times higher than with conventional flow rates, with a corresponding lower limit of detection of 0.025 μg/mL and good linearity. The Nexera Mikros system is ideal for low-level quantitation of peptides by LCMS.
Incomparable Microflow Ruggedness
- Realize the Benefits of Microflow While Enjoying the Ruggedness and Reliability of HPLC: The Nexera Mikros system delivers the improvements you expect from a low-flow system with the ruggedness of HPLC. A plasma blank was protein precipitated, diluted (3x), and injected 1,500 times consecutively. During the consecutive injections, QC sample (40 ppt of nortriptyline) was injected once every 50 injections of plasma blank. Peak areas and retention times of QC sample are plotted below. With 4.38% RSD area repeatability and 0.25% RSD retention time stability, extremely stable operation was demonstrated, without loss of peak shape common in high-throughput analyses of complex matrices.
Easy, Familiar Operation
- Micro-ESI™ Sources: Shimadzu’s Micro-ESI LCMS source has been designed for optimal sensitivity and ease of use. An X–Y adjustable stage and viewing camera allow for easy ESI spray needle adjustment. The column oven is mounted on the LCMS to minimize the volume between the exit of the column and the ESI needle.
The Micro-ESI probe also features an ESI spray angle optimized for microflow rates, and is available for triple quadrupole mass detection mass spectrometryand quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, respectively. - CTO-Mikros™ + UF-Link™: Easy, Dependable Column Installation: Mounted to the Micro-ESI source is the CTO-Mikros column oven. Stable column temperature, essential to retention time reproducibility, is ensured and columns up to 150 mm in length can be accommodated. To preserve the optimal source adjustment, the CTO-Mikros features an innovative snap-in column locking system, the UF-Link.
- LC-Mikros™: Innovative Microflow Pump Design: Shimadzu LC pumps are the industry standard for long life and high performance. The LC-Mikros solvent delivery pump has completely new direct-drive engineering to deliver micro to semi-micro flow rates ranging from 1 to 500 μL/min. UHPLC system pressure tolerance of 80 MPa (11,600 psi) allows the use of every column type.
- SIL-40C XR: Low-Volume Direct Injection Autosampler: The SIL-40C XR autosampler delivers you excellent accuracy and reproducibility as well as extremely low carry-over. Its injection volume ranges from 0.1 to 50 μL and your precious sample has never wasted due to the total injection method SIL-40C XR adapted.