Best of the Week: Chromatography News Roundup

This week's Chromatography Online roundup covers a wide range of chromatography developments and industry discussions. On the research side, a new HILIC-HRMS method for quantifying liver cancer biomarkers was explored with University of Salerno researchers, while GC-MS and LC-MS/MS studies examined regional flavor differences in oranges and effective methods for reducing acrylamide in popcorn, respectively. The newsletter also wrapped up its PFAS analysis expert series by addressing what non-specialists should know before requesting PFAS testing, and featured perspectives from Unilever's Hans-Gerd Janssen on whether at-line systems can hold their ground against the push toward full automation. Additional coverage included insights from Ghent University's Gaëlle Spileers on HPLC-XRF advancements for analyzing brominated flame retardants, as well as a critical look from ChromSoc President Tony Edge at the declining state of hands-on chromatography education in UK universities and whether that trend can be reversed.

This is the Best of the Week.

Multiplexed HILIC-HRMS Method Quantifies LPC and CAR Biomarkers for HCC

LCGC International spoke to the University of Salerno’s Eduardo Maria Sommella and Danila La Gioia regarding a new hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (HILIC-HRMS) method which quantifies circulating analytes to help detect liver cancer.¹

Closing Perspectives on PFAS Analysis

We conclude our series with PFAS analysis experts by raising the question, “What would the panel want a non-analytical scientist to know before requesting a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) analysis?”²

Will At-Line Systems Outlast the Push for Full Automation?

Hans-Gerd Janssen from Unilever explores the industry's shift from fully integrated online systems to at-line approaches.³

HTC-19 Insights: Advancing HPLC–XRF for the Analysis of Brominated Flame Retardants and Other Pollutants

Gaëlle Spileers from the Separation Science Group in the Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry at Ghent University (Belgium) discusses developments in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC–XRF) for the analysis of brominated flame retardants and other pollutants.⁴

The Silent Crisis: Can The Demise of Chromatography Teaching in Universities Be Reversed?

A worrying trend has emerged in UK higher education: the systematic erosion of deep, hands-on chromatography instruction and delivery of this key technique by non-experts, according to Tony Edge, President of The Chromatographic Society (ChromSoc). Can this trend be reversed?⁵

GC-MS Reveals Regional Flavor and Aroma Shifts in Oranges

Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) links orange flavor and aroma differences to regional climate factors.⁶

LC-MS/MS Tracks Acrylamide Cuts in Popcorn

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) shows soaking, ultrasound cut popcorn acrylamide levels by 82%.⁷

References

1. Sommella, E. M.; La Gioia, D.; Chasse, J. Multiplexed HILIC-HRMS Method Quantifies LPC and CAR Biomarkers for HCC. Chromatography Online website.https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/multiplexed-hilic-hrms-method-quantifies-lpc-car-biomarkers-hcc(accessed 2026-07-23)

2. Vining, B.; Megson, D.; Avino, P. Closing Perspectives on PFAS Analysis. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/closing-perspectives (accessed 2026-07-24)

3. Janssen, H.-G.; Matheson, A. HTC-19 Insights: Will At-Line Systems Outlast the Push for Full Automation? Chromatography Online website.https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/htc-19-insights-will-at-line-systems-outlast-the-push-for-full-automation- (accessed 2026-07-24)

4. Spileers, G.; Matheson, A. HTC-19 Insights: Advancing HPLC–XRF for the Analysis of Brominated Flame Retardants and Other Pollutants. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/htc-19-insights-advancing-hplc-xrf-for-the-analysis-of-brominated-flame-retardants-and-other-pollutants (accessed 2026-07-24)

5. Edge, T. The Silent Crisis: Can The Demise of Chromatography Teaching in Universities Be Reversed? Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/the-silent-crisis-can-the-demise-of-chromatography-teaching-in-universities-be-reversed- (accessed 2026-07-23)

6. Chasse, J. GC-MS Reveals Regional Flavor and Aroma Shifts in Oranges. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/gc-ms-reveals-regional-flavor-aroma-shifts-oranges(accessed 2026-07-24)

7. Chasse, J. LC-MS/MS Tracks Acrylamide Cuts in Popcorn. Chromatography Online website.website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/lc-ms-ms-tracks-acrylamide-cuts-popcorn (accessed 2026-07-24)