  Here are presenting the blank based time-alignment (BBTA) as a strong
analytical approach for treatment of non-linear shift in time occurring in
HPLC-MS data. Need of such tool in recent large dataset produced by analytical
chemistry and so-called omics studies is evident. Proposed approach is based on
measurement and comparison of blank and analyzed sample evident features. In
the first step of BBTA procedure, the number of compounds is reduced by
max-to-mean ratio thresholding, which extensively reduce the computational
time. Simple thresholding is followed by selection of time markers defined from
blank inflex points which are then used for the transformation function,
polynomial of second degree, in the example. BBTA approach was compared on real
HPLC-MS measurement with Correlation Optimized Warping (COW) method. It was
proved to have distinctively shorter computational time as well as lower level
of mathematical presumptions. The BBTA is computationally much easier, quicker
(more then 1000x) and accurate in comparison with warping. Moreover, markers
selection works efficiently without any peak detection. It is sufficient to
analyze only baseline contribution in the analyte measurement with sparse
knowledge of blank behavior. Finally, BBTA does not required usage of extra
internal standards and due to its simplicity it has a potential to be
widespread tool in HPLC-MS data treatment.
