Melissa Churley

A supported liquid extraction (SLE) and fast gas chromatography–tandem mass spectroscopy (GC–MS/MS) method, used in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, was developed for the analysis of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in environmental samples, according to the updated EPA Methods 625.1 and 8270E. This method requires minimal sample handling and yields significant throughput and productivity gains in the laboratory.

A number of clinical situations now call for high-sensitivity measurement of estrogens, including monitoring during female hormone replacement therapy, antiestrogen treatment, and estrogen deficiency in men. Traditional immunoassay methods and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS) do not provide the sensitivity and selectivity required for these applications. In contrast, a gas chromatography–negative chemical ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–NCI-MS-MS) platform can provide detection limits below 1 pg/mL when used in conjunction with the appropriate derivatization protocol, with very short cycle times.

The authors discuss the use of GC-MS in drug doping testing.

With the globalization of trade, food production and distribution have become truly international businesses. When we dine out, the fish might come from Japan, the rice from Australia, the spices from China, and the strawberries from Mexico. We take it for granted that the food we eat is safe and free from contamination that could make us seriously ill.