What are Profile and Centroid MS data? #

MS data collected off an instrument is presented as either profile or centroid mode. Shown below are two mass spectra illustrating an ion cluster for profile data and a centroid mass spectrum created from the profile data.

In profile mode, a peak is represented by a collection of signals over several scans. The advantage of profile data is it is easier to classify a signal as a true peak from noise off the instrument.

In centroid mode, the signals are displayed as discrete m/z with zero line widths. The advantage of centroid data is the file size is significantly smaller as there is less information describing a signal.

What are Profile and Centroid MS data? (2) #

1. Profile means the continuous wave form in a mass spectrum. • Data is a continuous wave form.
2. Centroid means the peaks in a profile data is changed to bars.
   • m/z values are discrete.
   • location of the bar is center of the profile peak.
   • height of the bar is area of the profile peak.