Matrix Effect in Bioanalysis: An Overview

LC-MS/MS can provide superior sensitivity and selectivity, rapid analysis, maximized development efficiencies, and improved turnaround times — its challenges are in large scale application. LC-MS/MS remains one of the most useful tools available for bioanalysis. A rational, strategic approach of developing robust, large-scale, and automated LC-MS/MS methods can reduce slowdowns and bottlenecks in drug development and contribute to synergistic, consistent, long term performance. Despite their enormous utility and diffusion, atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry techniques are subjected to relevant drawbacks called matrix effects (ME).These effects could be summarized in matrix-dependent signal suppression or enhancement that could lead to erroneous quantitative results.Matrix effects can be reduced or eliminated by the optimization of chromatographic conditions, improving sample clean-up and/or by changing the type of ionization employed. The present article focuses mainly on matrix effects with special reference to LC-MS/MS in biological matrix.