Agilent 6530 Q-TOF Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry System
| Brand | Agilent Technologies |
|---|---|
| Origin | Singapore |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | 6530 |
| Instrument Type | Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight (Q-TOF) |
| Application Field | Universal |
| Mass Range | 10–12,000 m/z |
| Sensitivity | 100.1 fg on-column (reserpine, S/N ≥ 10:1) |
| Resolution | ≥ 35,000 FWHM (at m/z 956) |
| Mass Accuracy | ≤ 2 ppm (internal calibration), ≤ 5 ppm (external calibration) |
| Pressure Range | Up to 1200 bar (UHPLC-compatible) |
Overview
The Agilent 6530 Q-TOF Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry System is a high-performance benchtop quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer engineered for untargeted screening, structural elucidation, and quantitative analysis in complex matrices. Leveraging orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight (oa-TOF) technology with a dual-stage quadrupole mass filter, the system delivers high-resolution, accurate-mass (HRAM) MS and MS/MS spectra with sub-ppm mass accuracy and narrow peak width—critical for confident compound identification in pharmaceutical development, metabolomics, environmental monitoring, and food safety applications. Unlike unit-resolution single-quadrupole systems, the 6530 Q-TOF provides full-spectrum acquisition at up to 20 Hz with isotopic fidelity, enabling retrospective data mining without re-injection. Its integrated jet stream electrospray ionization (ESI) source ensures robust ion transmission across wide polarity ranges and low-abundance analytes—even in high-background biological or environmental samples.
Key Features
- Quadrupole-TOF architecture with real-time MS/MS capability and simultaneous full-scan HRAM acquisition
- Mass accuracy ≤ 2 ppm (with internal lock mass calibration) and resolution ≥ 35,000 FWHM at m/z 956
- Dynamic range > 4 orders of magnitude within a single spectrum—enabling co-detection of major and trace components
- Jet Stream ESI source with heated nebulizer gas, optimized desolvation, and variable capillary voltage for enhanced sensitivity and stability
- UHPLC compatibility up to 1200 bar, supporting Agilent InfinityLab LC/MS systems including 2D-LC and SFC interfaces
- Collision-induced dissociation (CID) with tunable energy control for reproducible fragmentation patterns
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The 6530 Q-TOF supports broad sample classes—including small molecules (<1,500 Da), peptides, oligonucleotides, and polar metabolites—across reversed-phase, HILIC, and ion-pairing chromatographic modes. It complies with key regulatory frameworks for analytical method validation and data integrity: full support for 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails, electronic signatures, and secure user access control via MassHunter Workstation Software. The system meets ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for testing laboratories and aligns with ICH Q2(R2) guidelines for method validation. Routine performance verification follows Agilent’s recommended QC protocols using tuning mix standards (e.g., ESI-L Low Concentration Tuning Mix), ensuring ongoing compliance with GLP and GMP environments.
Software & Data Management
Controlled exclusively by Agilent MassHunter Workstation Software (version B.08.00 or later), the 6530 Q-TOF integrates acquisition, processing, and reporting into a unified platform. Key modules include Qualitative Analysis (for deconvolution, formula prediction, and library matching), Quantitative Analysis (with MRMHR and extracted ion chromatogram workflows), and Molecular Feature Extraction (MFE) for untargeted profiling. All raw data are stored in vendor-neutral .d format with embedded metadata, enabling long-term archival and third-party software interoperability (e.g., XCMS, MS-DIAL). Audit trail logging records all parameter changes, calibration events, and result modifications—fully traceable per FDA and EMA data integrity expectations.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical impurity profiling and degradation product identification per ICH Q3B/Q5C
- Non-targeted metabolite identification in plasma, urine, and tissue extracts
- Pesticide residue screening in food matrices using accurate-mass databases (e.g., METLIN, HMDB)
- Peptide mapping and post-translational modification analysis in biopharmaceutical characterization
- Environmental contaminant detection (e.g., PFAS, pharmaceuticals in wastewater) with <5 ppb LODs
- Forensic toxicology screening with retrospective spectral reconstruction
FAQ
Is the Agilent 6530 Q-TOF compliant with 21 CFR Part 11?
Yes—the MassHunter Workstation supports electronic signatures, role-based access control, and immutable audit trails required for regulated environments.
What is the typical mass calibration frequency for routine operation?
Internal calibration is performed automatically before each run; external calibration is recommended every 72 hours or after major maintenance.
Can the system perform targeted quantitation alongside untargeted screening?
Yes—using MRMHR mode, it achieves quantitative precision comparable to triple-quadrupole instruments while retaining full-scan HRAM data for confirmation.
Does the instrument support GC-APCI interface integration?
Yes—via optional GC-APCI source module and dedicated MassHunter GC/MS methods, enabling volatile and semi-volatile compound analysis.
What level of technical support is available for refurbished units?
All refurbished 6530 systems undergo full factory-level refurbishment, including detector replacement, vacuum system rebuild, and IQ/OQ documentation—backed by 12-month hardware warranty and remote application support.
