Agilent Q-TOF LC/MS System 6530B (Refurbished)

Overview

The Agilent Q-TOF LC/MS System 6530B is a high-performance, benchtop quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer engineered for untargeted screening, structural elucidation, and quantitative analysis in regulated and research environments. It combines a high-transmission dual-frequency quadrupole mass filter with a reflectron-based orthogonal acceleration TOF analyzer—enabling simultaneous high-resolution (up to 35,000 FWHM), accurate-mass (≤2 ppm RMS mass error with internal calibration), and high-sensitivity detection across broad m/z ranges (m/z 50–17,000). The system operates on the principle of orthogonal acceleration TOF: ions generated in the Agilent Jet Stream ion source are pulsed into the flight tube at right angles to their initial trajectory, minimizing kinetic energy spread and maximizing mass resolution and reproducibility. When coupled with Agilent 1290 Infinity II UHPLC, the platform delivers sub-2-second cycle times for full-scan MS/MS, supporting high-throughput profiling of complex biological matrices, pharmaceutical impurities, metabolites, and environmental contaminants.

Key Features

• Accurate-Mass Performance: Delivers ≤2 ppm mass accuracy using internal lock mass correction (e.g., reference ion at m/z 121.05087 and/or 922.00979), enabling confident elemental composition assignment and database matching (e.g., METLIN, HMDB, MassBank).
• High Sensitivity Dual AJS Ion Source: Features heated electrospray (AJS-ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (AJS-APCI) modes in a single compact interface, optimized for low-femtomole-level detection of polar and non-polar analytes without source reconfiguration.
• Full-Spectrum MS/MS Capability: Employs SmartFormula™ and All Ions MS/MS acquisition to collect fragment spectra for every detectable ion in a single run—ideal for retrospective data mining and unknown identification without pre-defined target lists.
• Robust Dynamic Range: Achieves >4 orders of magnitude linear dynamic range in full-scan mode, permitting co-detection of major components and trace-level metabolites or adducts in the same chromatographic run—even under high-background conditions (e.g., plasma, tissue extracts).
• Integrated UHPLC Compatibility: Fully validated with Agilent 1290 Infinity II LC systems, including 2D-LC, SFC, and GC-APCI interfaces, supporting method transfer, gradient reproducibility, and dwell-time-optimized peak capacity.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 6530B accommodates a wide range of sample types—including small molecules (<1,000 Da), peptides, oligonucleotides, and intact proteins (via native or denatured workflows)—across diverse matrices such as serum, urine, cell lysates, plant extracts, and environmental water samples. Its hardware and firmware architecture supports compliance with international regulatory frameworks: data acquisition and processing workflows adhere to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements (electronic signatures, audit trails, user access controls); raw data files (.d format) are immutable and timestamped; instrument qualification documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ protocols) is available upon request. The system meets ISO/IEC 17025 analytical validation criteria for precision, linearity, LOD/LOQ, and carryover assessment—making it suitable for GLP-compliant toxicology studies and GMP-aligned stability-indicating methods.

Software & Data Management

MassHunter Workstation v10.x provides a unified environment for instrument control, real-time data acquisition, post-run processing, and reporting. Key modules include Qualitative Analysis (for deconvolution, formula prediction, and library searching), Quantitative Analysis (with multi-point calibration curves, isotopic dilution, and matrix-matched standards), and Molecular Feature Extraction (MFE) for untargeted profiling. All processing steps generate traceable metadata embedded within .d folders, ensuring full data provenance. Raw data can be exported in open formats (mzML, mzXML) for third-party tools (XCMS, MZmine, Skyline). Secure network deployment options support centralized license management, role-based permissions, and encrypted backup to NAS or LIMS-integrated storage—aligned with institutional data governance policies.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical R&D: Impurity profiling, degradation product identification, forced degradation studies, and biotransformation pathway mapping.
• Clinical Metabolomics: Biomarker discovery in biofluids using differential abundance analysis and pathway enrichment (KEGG, Reactome).
• Food Safety & Environmental Monitoring: Multi-residue pesticide screening, mycotoxin quantification, and PFAS detection at ppt levels.
• Natural Products Chemistry: Dereplication of crude extracts via MS/MS spectral networking (GNPS platform compatibility).
• Proteomics Support: Top-down and middle-down characterization of monoclonal antibodies, including charge variant analysis and glycoform mapping.

FAQ

Is this a factory-refurbished unit or dealer-refurbished?
This Agilent 6530B system has undergone full refurbishment by an Agilent-authorized service partner, including replacement of critical consumables (ion optics, detector, vacuum pumps), recalibration against NIST-traceable standards, and full performance verification per Agilent Application Note 5991-4559EN.
What documentation is provided with the system?
Deliverables include original Agilent certificates of conformance, complete service history logs, IQ/OQ protocol templates, MassHunter software installation media and perpetual license keys, and a signed 12-month warranty agreement covering parts, labor, and remote diagnostics.
Can the system be configured for GLP-compliant laboratories?
Yes—the instrument supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant user authentication, electronic signatures, and full audit trail generation. Optional IQ/OQ/PQ execution services are available through certified field engineers.
What level of technical support is included post-installation?
Comprehensive support includes on-site installation and qualification, operator training (2 days), remote troubleshooting via TeamViewer-assisted diagnostics, and priority response SLA (next-business-day onsite for critical failures).
Are spare parts and consumables readily available?
All Agilent OEM parts (e.g., ESI needles, capillaries, collision cell components) and consumables (LC columns, solvents, calibration standards) are stocked and shipped globally from authorized distribution hubs.