Method 545 (Microcystins and Nodularin) is used for the analysis of cylindrospermopsins and anatoxin-a. This method requires a process of freezing the sample at -40oC and thawing, and is performed three times Method 545 testing. The freezing and thawing ensures that all algal cells are ruptured prior to the filtration of the sample.
After the sample is filtered, it is injected into liquid chromatograph. This is where the analytes are separated based on polarity. The sample is then passed through two mass spectrometers in tandem.
Sample identification based on the molecular masses of the fragmented compounds. This analysis provides a high precise quantitation of these compounds.