Best of the Week: From Water Safety to Breast Cancer Biomarkers

This week, Chromatography Online rounded up the latest developments in chromatography and mass spectrometry research, spanning environmental, food science, and clinical applications. Highlights include a DoE-enhanced LC-HRMS strategy for tracking water contaminants, a new UHPLC-MS/MS method for detecting algae toxins in fish, and 2D-GC-TOF-MS work linking volatile compounds to sweet potato flavor. On the clinical side, LC-MS/MS studies explore connections between salivary endocannabinoids and tooth decay, compare hair-sampling methods for hormone analysis, and trace metabolite links to breast cancer. Rounding things out are a novel VASE-GC-MS method for detecting personal care products in fish, an LC-MS/MS study on antibiotics in olive grove soils, and the latest industry product news from Thermo Fisher, Shimadzu, and Air Products.

This is the Best of the Week.

DoE-LC-HRMS Strategy Tracks Water Contaminants

Massimo Del Bubba and Lapo Renai tell LCGC International how liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) combined with a design of experiments (DoE) strategy enhances proactive monitoring of trace chemicals of environmental concern (CECs) to support drinking water safety and quality.¹

New Chromatography Method Detects Fish Toxins from Algae Blooms

A simple new method using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) quickly checks fish blood for harmful algae toxins.^2,

2D-GC-TOF-MS Reveals Sweet Potato Flavor VOCs

Two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (2D-GC-TOF-MS) links volatile compounds to flavor traits in sweet potatoes.³

LC-MS/MS Tests Saliva Endocannabinoids, Cavities

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is used to determine whether there is a link between salivary endocannabinoids and tooth decay.⁴

VASE-GC-MS Detects Personal Care Products in Fish

A new vacuum-assisted sorbent extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (VASE-GC-MS) method sensitively detects personal care product residues in fish.⁵

LC-MS/MS Compares Hair Hormone Sampling Methods

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) reveals which hair-sampling method yields more reliable results.⁶

LC-MS/MS Detects Antibiotics in Olive Grove Soil

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) reveals how farming methods shape antibiotic levels in soil.⁷

Chromatography Links Metabolites to Breast Cancer

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) tracks methionine cycle metabolites in luminal breast cancer.⁸

Industry Roundups
A trio of stories reported on recent product advances by Thermo Fisher, Shimadzu, and Air Products.^9-11

Thermo Fisher Unveils Orbitrap Isora IRMS System

Shimadzu Unveils New High-End UHPLC System Aimed at Reducing Laboratory Downtime

Ultra-High Purity BIP Argon for Analytical Applications

References

1. Del Bubba, M.; Renai, L.; Chasse, J. DoE-LC-HRMS Strategy Tracks Water Contaminants. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/doe-lc-hrms-strategy-tracks-water-contaminants (accessed 2026-08-28)
2. Chasse, J. New Chromatography Method Detects Fish Toxins from Algae Blooms. Chromatography Online website.
   https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/new-chromatography-method-detects-fish-toxins-algae-blooms (accessed 2026-08-280)
3. Chasse, J. 2D-GC-TOF-MS Reveals Sweet Potato Flavor VOCs. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/2d-gc-tof-ms-reveals-sweet-potato-flavor-vocs (accessed 2026-08-28)
4. Chasse, J. LC-MS/MS Tests Saliva Endocannabinoids, Cavities. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/lc-ms-ms-tests-saliva-endocannabinoids-cavities (accessed 2026-08-28)
5. Chasse, J. VASE-GC-MS Detects Personal Care Products in Fish. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/vase-gc-ms-detects-personal-care-products-fish (accessed 2026-08-28)
6. Chasse, J. LC-MS/MS Compares Hair Hormone Sampling Methods. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/lc-ms-ms-compares-hair-hormone-sampling-methods (accessed 2026-08-28)
7. Chasse, J. LC-MS/MS Detects Antibiotics in Olive Grove Soil. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/lc-ms-ms-detects-antibiotics-olive-grove-soil (accessed 2026-08-28)
8. Chasse, J. Chromatography Links Metabolites to Breast Cancer. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/chromatography-links-metabolites-breast-cancer (accessed 2026-08-28)
9. Chasse, J. Industry Roundup: Thermo Fisher Unveils Orbitrap Isora IRMS System. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/industry-roundup-thermo-fisher-unveils-orbitrap-isora-irms-system (accessed 2026-08-28)
10. Chasse, J. Industry Roundup: Shimadzu Unveils New High-End UHPLC System Aimed at Reducing Laboratory Downtime. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/industry-roundup-shimadzu-unveils-new-high-end-uhplc-system-aimed-at-reducing-laboratory-downtime (accessed 2026-08-28)
11. Chasse, J. Industry Roundup: Ultra-High Purity BIP Argon for Analytical Applications.Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/industry-roundup-ultra-high-purity-bip-argon-for-analytical-applications (accessed 2026-08-28)