Matrix effects: Hurdle for development and validation of bioanalytical LC-MS methods in biological samples analyses

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry is a well-established analytical technique and is anticipated that, with only simple sample preparations, high selectivity and sensitivity of tandem mass spectrometry, coupled to quick separation by Liquid chromatography, allows high-throughput confirmation and detection of trace materials, even in the presence of a complex background. Despite these advantages, quantitative analysis with atmospheric pressure ionization or electrospray interface can be affected by ion (or signal)-suppression or ion-enhancement by interfering substances in the biological sample matrix. This phenomenon is called “matrix effect (ME). Because MEs can affect critical analytical parameters (limits of detection and quantification, linearity, accuracy, and precision), they should be critically investigated during method development and validation processes. This review gives a detailed description of the expected ME phenomena and their evaluation. It also briefly describes present viewpoint of MEs in the analytical field to promote the knowledge of MEs and their handlings.