LCGC Europe-10-01-2016

The quantitative extraction and subsequent purification of trace contaminants from (semi-)solid environmental and food matrices of regular size (that is, a few grams) is still recognized as a challenging task, typically accomplished through relatively complex off-line multistep treatment procedures. When these conventional sample preparation procedures are applied to the treatment of size-limited samples (of less than 1 g), the difficulties increase. This review discusses the different analytical strategies that can be adopted to overcome (or at least reduce) these difficulties when chromatographic techniques are involved for final instrumental determination.

Interfering peaks or high baseline background can compromise the results of gradient liquid chromatography (LC) separations.

Many gas chromatographers are not fully aware of safe practices for handling high-pressure gas cylinders. Gas chromatography (GC) operators should be trained to properly transport, install, connect, and maintain their gas supplies, as well as to deal with emergencies. In the first of a two-part series, this month’s “GC Connections” examines the principal hazards and safety issues surrounding the compressed gas cylinder. Next month’s instalment will present safe procedures for routine cylinder use.

Cartenoid compounds can be used as probes for studying bonded stationary phases for reversed-phase liquid chromatography, such as C18, phenyl-hexyl, and cholesteryl. From one supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) analysis that favours the chromatographic behaviours related to the stationary phase properties, bonding density, ligand type (monomeric or polymeric), and endcapping treatment, two separation factors are calculated allowing us to build a two-dimensional map. These two axes are related either to the shape selectivity or the polar surface activity (residual silanols). Each point on the map corresponds to a column. The retention factor of β-carotene, which describes the phase hydrophobicity, is indicated by the size of the point. More than 200 stationary phases were studied, including small particle sizes and superficially porous ones.

Lab Innovations, the UK’s only event dedicated to laboratory professionals, will be held from 2–3 November 2016, at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, UK. It will feature an extensive conference programme and highlight a wealth of industry suppliers.

Significant benefits can be obtained by standardizing high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns in a pharmaceutical development laboratory. Here is a story of how one organization attempted to encourage its staff to develop HPLC methods using fewer column brands and dimensions to reduce waste and efforts in method transfers downstream.

he 1st IMaSS Symposium on Forensic Mass Spectrometry (FMS Verona 2016) will be held on 11 November 2016, at the Aula Magna Gavazzi in Verona, Italy.

Click the title above to open the LCGC Europe October 2016 regular issue, Vol 29, No 10, in an interactive PDF format.

The quantitative extraction and subsequent purification of trace contaminants from (semi-)solid environmental and food matrices of regular size (that is, a few grams) is still recognized as a challenging task, typically accomplished through relatively complex off-line multistep treatment procedures. When these conventional sample preparation procedures are applied to the treatment of size-limited samples (of less than 1 g), the difficulties increase. This review discusses the different analytical strategies that can be adopted to overcome (or at least reduce) these difficulties when chromatographic techniques are involved for final instrumental determination.