Has anyone tried to analyse PCB's in fat tissue
using LC-(ESI or APCI)-MS.
If so could you give me some tips on column use
and mobile phase composition.

Hello Katia,

I am an applications chemist at HP. Please let me ask one first question: Why use LC/MS for PCBs while proven GC/MS methods exist?

1. ESI: In ESI the compounds are ionized in solution via acid/base equilibrium. In the ESI process then the preformed ions are spontaneously evaporated from the shrinking aerosol droplets. As PCBs do not show reasonable acidity/basicity neither are very soluble in reverse phase LC mobile phases LC/MS ESI is not suitable for this compound class.

2. APCI: In APCI the ionization process happens in gas phase after evaporation of the mobile phase and analyte in a heated vaporizer. The CI "reagent" is the mobile phase vapor. I could imagine that the compounds show response in APCI. However, GC/MS in EI or NCI should be a lot more sensitive than any LC/MS technique. If I would have to set up a PCB method my first approach would be GC/MS in negative ion CI.

However, if anyone has positive expierence with LC/MS I would appreciate any info.

Regards,
Friedrich