Agilent 6540A UHD Q-TOF LC/MS System (Refurbished)

Overview

The Agilent 6540A Ultra-High Definition (UHD) Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) system is a high-performance, research-grade analytical platform engineered for accurate mass measurement, structural elucidation, and quantitative profiling of small molecules and peptides in complex matrices. Based on orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight (oa-TOF) mass analysis coupled with a high-transmission quadrupole mass filter, the 6540A delivers sub-ppm mass accuracy, high spectral acquisition speed (up to 50 Hz), and dynamic range exceeding five orders of magnitude—enabling simultaneous detection of trace-level analytes alongside dominant matrix components without signal saturation or dynamic range compression. Its integrated dual AJS (Advanced Jet Stream) ion source enhances ion transmission efficiency and robustness across diverse sample types and flow rates (100 nL/min–2 mL/min), while the redesigned ion optics and collision cell minimize fragmentation losses and improve MS/MS duty cycle. This refurbished unit has undergone full functional validation per Agilent-recommended protocols—including resolution, mass accuracy, sensitivity (e.g., reserpine S/N ≥ 100:1 at 100 fg on-column), and retention time stability—by SpectraLab Scientific’s certified service engineers.

Key Features

• UHD mass resolution (>35,000 FWHM at m/z 922) with real-time centroiding and lock-mass correction for long-duration runs
• Quadrupole-based precursor selection enabling targeted MS/MS, data-dependent acquisition (DDA), and all-ion fragmentation (AIF) modes
• Dual AJS electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (ESI/APCI) capability with automated source switching and temperature-controlled desolvation
• Integrated Agilent 1260 Infinity II HPLC module featuring G1312B binary pump (0.001–10 mL/min, ≤ 600 bar), G1367E high-speed autosampler (precision ±0.3%, carryover < 0.005%), and G1316A thermostatted column compartment (5–80 °C)
• MassHunter Workstation software suite (v10.x or later) supporting qualitative identification (compound database matching, formula prediction), semi-quantitative screening, and validated quantitative workflows with internal standard calibration
• Compliance-ready architecture: Optional 21 CFR Part 11-compliant user access control, electronic signatures, and audit trail logging when configured with MassHunter Compliance Edition

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 6540A accommodates a broad range of sample types including pharmaceutical actives, metabolites, natural products, environmental contaminants, food adulterants, and synthetic polymers—provided they are compatible with reversed-phase, HILIC, or ion-pairing LC separations and amenable to electrospray or APCI ionization. It supports method transfer from legacy Agilent Q-TOF platforms (e.g., 6230, 6530) and interoperates with third-party chromatographic data systems via open-format .d file export. The system meets technical requirements for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories and aligns with ASTM D7893 (petroleum analysis), USP <232>/<233> (elemental impurities), and ICH M7 (mutagenic impurity screening) methodologies. All refurbished units include documented IQ/OQ reports and calibration certificates traceable to NIST standards.

Software & Data Management

MassHunter Qualitative Analysis (v10.0+) provides intuitive peak detection, deconvolution, and library search against commercial (NIST, Wiley) and custom MS/MS spectral libraries. Quantitative Analysis (QA) module supports calibration curve fitting (linear/log-linear), QC sample monitoring, and report generation compliant with GLP documentation practices. Raw data (.d folders) are stored in vendor-neutral formats (mzML export supported), enabling downstream processing in open-source tools such as OpenMS or Skyline. Data integrity is enforced through hierarchical user permissions, session-based audit logs, and optional integration with LIMS via Agilent OpenLab CDS interfaces.

Applications

• Non-targeted metabolomics and lipidomics profiling in biological fluids and tissue extracts
• Impurity identification and degradation product characterization in drug development (ICH Q5/Q3B)
• Residue analysis in food safety testing (pesticides, veterinary drugs, mycotoxins)
• Environmental monitoring of emerging contaminants (PFAS, pharmaceuticals, microplastics leachates)
• Peptide mapping and post-translational modification analysis in biopharmaceutical quality control
• Forensic toxicology screening using high-resolution accurate-mass (HRAM) databases

FAQ

Is this instrument fully refurbished and performance-validated?
Yes. Each unit undergoes complete disassembly, cleaning, replacement of wear-prone components (ion guides, detector, pump seals), recalibration, and multi-point verification against Agilent’s Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) criteria.
What documentation accompanies the system?
You receive a Certificate of Refurbishment, IQ/OQ summary report, mass calibration certificate (NIST-traceable), and full MassHunter software license (perpetual, with optional maintenance).

Can this system be upgraded to support newer MassHunter versions or additional modules?
Yes. The hardware platform is compatible with MassHunter v10.x and v11.x. Optional upgrades include Quantitative Analysis Advanced, PCDL (Personal Compound Database and Library), and MassHunter BioConfirm for intact protein analysis.

Is remote diagnostics and technical support available post-installation?
SpectraLab Scientific provides 6 months of remote troubleshooting, application consultation, and firmware update assistance. On-site service contracts are available upon request.