Issues in Mass Spectrometry Between Bench Chemists and Regulatory Laboratory Managers: Summary of the Roundtable on Mass Spectrometry Held at the 123rd AOAC INTERNATIONAL Annual Meeting

Abstract

Abstract At the 123rd AOAC INTERNATIONAL Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA, 45 residue chemists gathered for a roundtable discussion of mass spectrometry (MS) used for regulatory chemical residues analysis. The session was conceived to address current technical and communication issues about MS between bench chemists and their bosses. The topics covered a range of practical, routine, and recurring issues on capabilities and limitations of MS techniques, and suggestions on how chemists may better communicate their MS results with customers. The customers in this sense include laboratory managers, quality assurance officers, laboratory clients, regulatory officials, policy-makers, lawyers, and others who have interest in the data. The stated goals devised by the roundtable panelists were to provide independent advice, describe limitations, give practical tips, help set realistic expectations, and answer questions from the attendees. The panelists divided the topics into three main themes: practical aspects in routine analysis using MS, choice of MS technique depending on the purpose for analysis, and qualitative identification and confirmation concepts. This report was written to summarize and expand upon the discussion, frame the current issues, and provide advice on handling common situations in MS analysis and reporting of results. Topics included LODs, data quality objectives, quantification and reporting results, matrix effects, calibration, terminology, differences in performance across MS platforms, proficiency testing, qualitative analysis, and laboratory accreditation. Conclusions are presented as a set of questions for structuring a dialog between bench chemists and laboratory managers.