LC-MS combines chromatographic separation with mass detection. The chromatography step separates components in a sample; the mass spectrometer measures the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions produced from each component.
Why it is used for identity
- The observed molecular mass can be compared with the theoretical mass for the declared peptide.
- Fragmentation patterns can be compared with reference spectra.
- Sensitivity is typically high enough to detect minor components.
This is an educational overview, not an operational laboratory protocol.
