Application Notes: GC-MS

Pesticide contamination of foodstuffs has become a worldwide concern, prompting various levels of regulation and monitoring. Traditionally, pesticides are quantified with gas chromatography (GC) combined with selective detectors (ECD, FID, etc.). Selective GC detectors are great tools to quantify one or two classes at a time. However, screening for a number of different classes of pesticides requires multiple runs utilizing various GC configurations to achieve sufficient chromatographic resolution for unambiguous quantification. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) provides positive confirmation of various pesticides in a single analytical run because its superior selectivity allows interference-free quantification even with peak coelution. GC–MS has become a preferred technique for pesticide analysis because of its single-run capability.

The continual increase in sample numbers in busy labs means that it is often difficult for quality control or contract analysis labs to maintain short turnaround times, particularly when instruments are already running at full capacity. To address the need for faster analysis while retaining the quality of separation offered by dedicated amino acid analysers, an improved formulation of sodium citrate based buffers has been developed by Biochrom.

William Goodman and Thomas Meaker, PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences

The analysis of peptides and additives using a new HPLC innovative column technology, Pathfinder, was shown. For the analysis of flavours in lemon juice GC–MS with a new MS library, FFNSC, with linear retention indices was used.

Soft drink formulas often include preservatives, artificial sweeteners, flavours or caffeine in their list of ingredients. Using the Acclaim OA column, as many as eight common additives may be determined in a single run. Many of these additives are hydrophilic organic acids for which this column was designed. Notably, benzoate and sorbate, which do not resolve on C18 columns at low pH, are fully separated.

Column lifetime is a more and more important issue when developing an analytical method for HPLC. Besides sample treatment, column cleaning and storage, operational parameters of the analytical method will have an influence on column lifetime. This question may not always be addressed early enough in the methods development process.

This application note will demonstrate a GC–MS analysis of common polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners. An optimized method will allow the Clarus GC–MS to provide ample separation and high yields of all PBDE congeners. The extended mass range of the Clarus 500 MS and high-mass calibration will produce mass spectra with very high levels of accuracy.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are among the most important and widely used flame retardants. Recent legislation banned certain PBDE congeners.? EU directive 2003/11/EC prohibits the use of Penta-BDE and Octa-BDE for the member states of the European community.? Therefore, analysis of PBDEs have received increased interest as a result of their known toxicity.

Heidi Grecsek, PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences

As the global sourcing of foodstuffs becomes more common, the number of pesticide analyses performed continues to increase to test these sources for compliance with various regulations. The sheer number of analyses dictates that utilized methods must be reliable, robust and inexpensive.

Shimadzu app note - May

Protease inhibitors are a class of anti-HIV drugs used in combination therapy to block replication of the HIV virus in a person's blood. It is important to monitor the levels of these drugs in the patient since resistance can develop at low levels and at high levels the drug can exhibit toxic effects.

Mini application notes summaries

Shimadzu Application Note - Feb enewsletter

Maltodextrin is an easily digested carbohydrate made from corn starch...

VENTURE A affinity columns utilize ICEtechTM surface passivation technology...

Mini application note summaries...

Polymeric monolithic stationary phases offer an alternative to the classical microparticulate sorbents...

Using mass spectral deconvolution, target pesticides in complex matrices can be quickly identified...

BDEs are widely used as flame retardants in plastics used in computers, construction materials, furniture and textiles...

The number of pesticides used in agriculture world-wide is approx. 700...

A selection of mini application note write-ups

GC column bleed has been postulated to be caused by "backbiting" of the siloxane chain and volatility of noncrosslinked oligimers...

A positive chemical ionization GC?MS method for the analysis of acrylamide monomer in foods will be described . . .

The current concern over acrylamide levels in food has unexpectedly brought amino acid analysis to the forefront . . .

An application note from SGE Europe...