Headspace-gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) alongside an electronic nose (E-nose) was applied to characterize volatile compounds in ginger slices subjected to hot-air drying (HAD), infrared drying (IRD), and microwave-assisted hot-air drying (MHD). Overall, the dual-platform chromatographic approach effectively connected chemical fingerprints with sensory-relevant attributes, supporting optimized drying strategies for high-quality ginger products.
A recent study explored rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) as a high-throughput, real-time alternative. By analyzing metabolomic fingerprints from pig neck fat, REIMS was combined with multivariate data analysis and machine learning algorithms to successfully classify pork breeds and accurately detect boar taint in both laboratory and slaughterhouse environments. LCGC International spoke to Lieselot Y. Hemeryck and Lynn Vanhaecke, two of the authors of the paper resulting from this work, and their expert colleague, Vera Plekhova, about the study and their findings.
A novel comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC×GC-MS) method has been developed to simultaneously quantify and identify a vast array of sugar compounds in human urine and serum. Utilizing a nonpolar-medium polar column setup, this advanced analytical approach overcomes previous limitations that restricted the simultaneous evaluation of complex sugar profiles to just a few compounds. The validated method successfully achieved absolute quantification for dozens of sugars—including discovering concentrations of several sugars in healthy adults for the very first time—demonstrating its significant potential for advancing future research in human nutrition, health biomarkers, and metabolic pathways.
This week's highlights feature our ongoing discussions on women in chromatography, an interview on the future of HPLC columns from analytica 2026, and cutting-edge applications of mass spectrometry techniques to analyze protein variations, the effects of sleep restriction on serum metabolites, and human scent traces on clothing.
While mussels are a vital and economically important food source, their filter-feeding behavior causes them to absorb environmental pollutants. Testing their tissue is challenging due to its high fat and protein content, so researchers successfully applied a QuEChERS-based extraction method coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to analyze samples.
Researchers utilized non-targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to analyze the serum metabolic profiles of elite male water polo athletes before and after an intensive training week. The LC-MS/MS analysis successfully screened 363 metabolites, revealing significant shifts in 33 out of the total metabolites evaluated—specifically those tied to lysine degradation and vitamin B6 metabolism. Ultimately, the study establishes LC-MS/MS as a highly effective analytical tool for monitoring molecular-level metabolic changes, providing valuable baseline data for optimizing athletic training and nutritional programming.
At analytica 2026, Shimadzu Corporation celebrated its 150-year legacy by displaying three new advanced analytical instruments designed to maximize operational efficiency.
Scientists recently compared two methods (LC-MS and nano-ESI-MS) used to analyze the small molecules inside individual cells—a process that helps us understand how cells function and react to their environment. While each method has its pros and cons, a joint study found that LC-MS provides a clearer, more comprehensive picture of the molecules inside the cells. When testing these methods on cells infected with a tuberculosis-like bacteria, LC-MS was significantly better at highlighting the differences between infected and healthy cells. These findings could help improve future research in infectious diseases, clinical diagnostics, and drug discovery.
Japanese researchers have developed an accelerated testing method to quickly and accurately determine if harmful chemicals leak from plastic packaging into food. Because real-time testing for long-shelf-life foods takes too much time, the team used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to accelerate the process. By testing sample plastics in various food-simulating liquids, they proved the LC-MS/MS method is reliable.
Researchers utilized untargeted reverse-phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (RPLC-MS) to analyze serum metabolite profiles under normal and sleep-restricted conditions. The RPLC-MS analysis successfully identified 90 circulating metabolites—including 14 of microbial origin—and demonstrated that sleep deprivation significantly disrupts the natural rhythmic cycles of these host and microbial compounds. These findings indicate that microbial metabolites detected via RPLC-MS could potentially serve as clinical biomarkers for the various health and metabolic risks associated with sleep loss.
Researchers evaluated the flavor quality of milk processed with alternating-current high electric field (AC-HEF) pasteurization compared to conventional ultrahigh temperature (UHT) treatment, which is known for producing undesirable "cooked" flavors. To analyze the differences, the team profiled volatile compounds using solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and utilized gas chromatography-sulfur chemiluminescence detection (GC-SCD) specifically for sulfur-containing volatiles. The robust chromatographic analysis revealed that AC-HEF effectively suppresses the formation of off-flavors while maintaining favorable aromatic compounds, suggesting it is a promising alternative for producing shelf-stable milk with an improved flavor profile.
Markes International announced this morning the launch of the TC-30, a high-capacity multi-tube conditioner designed to improve data confidence, reduce operating costs, and maximize productivity in thermal desorption–gas chromatography (TD–GC) laboratories.
Researchers have optimized a headspace sorptive extraction (HSSE) method coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to analyze human scent traces left on clothing. By extracting volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds and applying supervised machine learning algorithms, such as support vector machines (SVM) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), to the GC-MS data, the team achieved 100% accuracy in gender discrimination. This combination of optimized extraction, GC-MS analysis, and machine learning provides a rapid and automated forensic screening technique to help narrow down suspect or victim profiles based on trace evidence.
Researchers successfully employed high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) to analyze atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) across Quebec using Pleurozium schreberi moss. The chromatographic analysis targeted 10 PAHs to establish a rigorous spatial baseline of pollution and 15 PAHs to measure the environmental impact of the severe 2023 Canadian wildfires. The HPLC-FLD data revealed that while the wildfires did not increase total PAH concentrations, they caused distinct compositional shifts, proving the effectiveness of this analytical method in detecting regional pollution gradients and temporal source changes.
A worldwide study involving 12 research groups has confirmed that capillary zone electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry (CZE-MS) is a highly reproducible and sensitivealternative to traditional methods for analyzing proteoforms, offering a way to separate these critical protein variations based on their charge-to-size ratio. LCGC International spoke to Kevin Jooß of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, one of the authors of a paper outlining the study, about this work.
Headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) were used to evaluate 45 Brazilian artisanal chocolates, identifying 72 volatile compounds and quantifying methylxanthines. Results demonstrated that theobromine and caffeine concentrations strongly correlate with declared cocoa content, proving these chromatographic methods provide a reliable workflow for quality control, traceability, and fraud prevention in chocolate manufacturing.
LCGC International highlighted women in chromatography discussions, discussed a green method for authenticating olive oil, presented TD-GC-MS research on emissions from tactile toys, and reviewed recent and upcoming industry events including Pittcon and analytica 2026.
Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry HS-SPME-GC-MS was used by researchers to analyze volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during goat cheese ripening over 150 days. They identified 68 VOCs and found that 2-butanone and 2-butanol serve as potential markers for the final maturation stage, offering a simple, low-cost method for early monitoring of cheese ripening.
Researchers utilized gas chromatography (GC) to evaluate and compare the fatty acid compositions of plant-based meat substitutes and traditional ground beef available on the market. Following homogenization and lipid extraction, the GC data revealed distinct fatty acid profiles between the two groups. The analysis demonstrated that most plant-based alternatives exhibited higher polyunsaturated fatty acid levels and more favorable nutritional indices—such as the unsaturation and hypocholesterolemic indices—compared to beef, though the researchers noted that the specific health implications rely heavily on the diverse types of oils used in each plant-based product.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) regression to analyze both volatile and non-volatile compounds in five strawberry cultivars. The study successfully correlated specific compounds with sensory profiles like sweetness and flavor, offering valuable insights to improve predictive models and guide future strawberry breeding programs.
Researchers investigated the effects of electron beam irradiation on cold fresh rainbow trout using GC×GC-MS and lipidomics. The chromatographic analysis revealed that while low doses preserve quality, doses of 3 kGy or higher accelerate lipid oxidation, significantly increasing volatile flavor compounds and causing unwanted irradiation odors that lower sensory acceptability.
Gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-qMS) and high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with diode-array and refractive index detectors (HPLC-DAD/RI) to analyze the chemical and aromatic profiles of kombucha fermented with pineapple, fennel, and carrot by-products. The chromatographic data revealed how specific microbial communities interact with these plant residues to produce unique volatile organic compounds, demonstrating a sustainable approach for value-added beverage production.
High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used in a study measuring and monitoring vitamin C concentrations in the breast milk of postpartum mothers in Malaysia. The HPLC data revealed that average vitamin C levels were lower than those commonly reported in other populations, particularly during the initial weeks following childbirth. By accurately tracking these fluctuations using HPLC, the study established a significant correlation between early vitamin C levels and maternal fruit consumption, highlighting the critical need for targeted nutritional education to ensure adequate antioxidant intake during the postpartum period.
Researchers used headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) to profile volatile compounds in chicken soup prepared using low-voltage electrostatic field (LVEF)-assisted stewing. The treatment increased VOC diversity and abundance, enabling a 15% sodium reduction while enhancing saltiness, umami perception, protein content, and overall flavor quality without compromising stability.
Using thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), researchers quantified volatile organic compound emissions from nine tactile toys and observed scaling of VOC release with product mass and surface area. Hazardous solvent residues such as dimethylformamide and methylene chloride produced an initial high-concentration emission burst, underscoring the need for standardized emission testing.
A recent paper presented a high-throughput, green analytical chemistry approach for authenticating extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) using direct analysis in real time–high resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS). LCGC International spoke to Dimitrios Papelis, lead author of that paper, about the method.
Recent analytical science milestones feature major leadership and achievement awards from Pittcon 2026, alongside groundbreaking research using advanced chromatography to detect endocrine-disrupting chemicals and identify early-stage pancreatic cancer.
Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) was used in combination with 16S rDNA sequencing to analyze the upper respiratory tract microbiomes and metabolomes of children with asthma. The LC–MS analysis uncovered significant metabolic variations between chronic persistent and acute exacerbation asthma groups, identifying L-carnitine as a highly accurate differential metabolite and a promising biomarker for evaluating pediatric asthma.
Researchers applied ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC–ESI-QTOF–MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to comprehensively profile bioactive peptides and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in mixed-species probiotic yogurt. These chromatographic and mass spectrometric analyses demonstrated how specific Lacticaseibacillus and Bifidobacterium strains enhance the production of therapeutic metabolites, successfully identifying novel short peptides and providing actionable insights for developing functional, health-oriented dairy products.
Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used to purify extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the plasma of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients to evaluate treatment responses and mutation statuses. This study demonstrates that precisely isolating EVs using chromatography allows for deep proteomic analysis, which can provide valuable insights into a patient's clinical status and reveal potential biomarkers for monitoring CML treatment response, remission, and drug resistance.
