Peak to Valley Ratio (Peak Results Variable) Page 1 of 2

Peak Results Variable

Peak to Valley Ratio

To access this dialog box:

The Peak to Valley Ratio variable returns the ratio for a peak in an unresolved peak group, which is an
indicator of the quality of peak separation. It can be used, for example, in system suitability tests. For more
information, refer to System Suitability Test and Intelligent Run Control: Overview.
The following example shows a peak that is integrated as main peak without baseline contact. It is separated
by two neighboring peaks with the peak delimiters being on a valley:

The ratios are calculated based on USP (= United States Pharmacopeia) and PharmEU standards:

The variable always reports the minimum ratio of the two calculated ratios.

Note: The higher the values, the better the peak separation.

Restrictions
The variable reports n.a. (not available) in the following cases:
l For rider or negative peaks. (See Peak Type for more information.)
l For optimally separated peaks. (See exception under Notes below.) In a system suitability test, make
sure to define the treatment of n.a. values.
l For peaks that are manipulated in an unfortunate way, for example, if the baseline intersects the signal.
l If both ratios are ignored, that is, if a peak delimiter is on or below the baseline.
l If a sequence is imported from a data source other than Chromeleon 6. For peaks imported from
Chromeleon 6, a 'peak to valley' ratio can be computed by Chromeleon 7. (For more information about
importing Chromeleon 6 data, refer to Copying Chromeleon 6 Data to a Chromeleon 7 Data Vault.)

Note:
The peak to valley ratio doesn't depend on neighboring peaks. A valley will even be computed, if the
baseline is not connected to the signal via a peak delimiter and the connecting point is not a valley
between two peaks. This could be the case if such neighboring peak once existed but was removed

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Peak to Valley Ratio (Peak Results Variable) Page 2 of 2

without snapping the baseline back to the signal, for example, after using the Minimum Area Reject
detection parameter for classic peak detection. As the Cobra peak detection algorithm can produce peaks
that are disconnected from the signal, a ratio may even be computed for optimally separated peaks.

Related Topics
Peak Type or Type (Peak Results Variable)
Detection Code at Peak Start or Peak End

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