2010 Volume 26 Issue 6 Pages 715-718
The effects of an on-line ion suppressor device on alkali metal ion adduct formations of the model compound tacrolimus were investigated. The base peak ion in the positive ion ESI-MS spectrum of tacrolimus was a sodium ion adduct, [M+Na]+. On the other hand, an ammonium ion adduct, [M+NH4]+, was the base peak ion in the full-scan mass spectrum of tacrolimus with a cation-exchange suppressor resin, and both [M+Na]+ and [M+K]+ were eliminated. These results indicate that the combination of an on-line ion suppressor with ESI-MS is a simple and effective technique that eliminates undesirable alkali metal ion adduct formations in the positive-ion mode.