LCMS laboratory: measuring additives

Additives are incorporated into raw materials and finished products to provide a technical function: preservation, stabilization, plasticization, coloring, protection against oxidation, or improved performance properties. Their concentration must be controlled to verify formulation compliance, compare batches, investigate non-conformities, or monitor product stability.

Additive measurement meets the needs of manufacturers in many sectors, including polymers, packaging, consumer products, medical devices, cosmetics, fine chemicals, and materials. It makes it possible to identify and quantify target compounds in sometimes complex matrices.

Depending on the formulation and the objective of the study, the LCMS laboratory can investigate additive families such as antioxidants, UV absorbers, stabilizers, plasticizers, surfactants, preservatives, colorants, or processing agents. Feasibility depends on the chemical structure of the substances, their behavior in the matrix, and the availability of reference substances.

When the issue concerns volatile or semi-volatile compounds, a complementary approach may be considered using HS-GC-MS analysis.

Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, or LC-MS, combines the separation of the constituents of a mixture with detection based on their mass-to-charge ratio. This technique is particularly relevant for analyzing low-volatility, heat-sensitive compounds or compounds present at low concentrations.

The use of mass spectrometry improves analytical selectivity when several substances are present simultaneously. The LCMS laboratory can therefore develop a targeted approach to confirm the presence of an additive and determine its concentration in the sample.

To guide the study, it is useful to provide the nature and known composition of the sample, the physical state of the product, the additives being investigated, estimated concentrations, thresholds to be checked, and the context of the request. Available technical data sheets, safety data sheets, and formulation references help refine the analytical strategy.

The required sample quantity, packaging, and shipping arrangements are defined with the Filab laboratory according to the project's constraints.

The Filab laboratory uses liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry for additive measurement. This approach separates the compounds present in the sample, characterizes them according to their mass, and quantifies them against suitable standards.

Each study begins with an analysis of the requirements: matrix type, additives being investigated, expected concentrations, decision thresholds, and control objective. The Filab laboratory then defines an analytical strategy covering sample preparation, extraction, chromatographic separation, and data interpretation.

The quality of the result depends in particular on controlled sample preparation. The Filab laboratory selects extraction and purification conditions according to the nature of the product: liquid, powder, polymer, coating, packaging, or multicomponent formulation.

This step is designed to extract the additives of interest while limiting matrix interferences that could affect detection or quantification. For issues related to materials in contact with healthcare products, investigations may be aligned with analysis according to USP 661 approaches.

Results are interpreted in light of the client's stated needs: incoming inspection, formulation verification, comparison before and after aging, contamination investigation, or non-conformity assessment. The Filab laboratory works with your teams to define the information required to interpret the analytical data.

Additional analysis can be used when the scope concerns specific substances, such as chloroalkane measurement or sulfur measurement.

Filab laboratory supports industrial companies from feasibility studies through to the presentation of results. This approach makes it possible to select a suitable method, anticipate matrix effects, and define a protocol consistent with your testing objective.

For a targeted compound, Filab laboratory can also assess the relevance of a dedicated service, such as acetate assay.

To initiate your additive assay project, contact Filab laboratory and specify your matrix, the targeted substances, and your testing objective. Provide the technical information available, define the analytical scope, validate the sampling procedures, and receive a proposal tailored to your needs.