Best of the Week: Metabolite Profiling, Health Links, and Industry News

This week's Chromatography Online spanned the science and business of chromatography, from methodology to industry news. Victoria Pozo Garcia makes the case for HILIC over reversed-phase LC when profiling small metabolites tied to cell energy production, while a UHPLC–QTOF-MS study uncovers urinary metabolite links between ADHD and pesticide exposure, and gas chromatography reveals a connection between blood DHA levels and brain volume in older women. On the applied side, GC-IMS pinpoints the best pre-cooling method for preserving beef flavor during shipping, chromatography techniques isolate a fish-derived peptide that eases eczema symptoms, and HPLC-SEC-FLD traces the surprising origin of glowing carbon nanodots in beer. Rounding out the issue, a feature on five LCGC roundtables examines the barriers and support systems shaping women's careers in chromatography, alongside industry updates on Waters' strong Q2 financial results and AnalytiChem's new CONOSTAN standards range for fuel testing.

This is the Best of the Week.

HILIC vs Reversed-Phase LC for Central Carbon Metabolism Profiling

Measuring the small molecules that fuel cell metabolism, things like amino acids, sugar phosphates, and energy carriers, turns out to be trickier than it sounds. Victoria Pozo Garcia explains to LCGC International why hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) tends to work better for these compounds than the more common reversed-phase method.¹

Beyond the Peak: What Keeps Women in Chromatography

What five LCGC roundtables reveal about barriers, mentorship, and networking for women building careers in chromatography.²

UHPLC–QTOF-MS Links Urine Profiles to ADHD

Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC–QTOF-MS) reveals urinary metabolite links between ADHD and pesticide exposure. ³

GC-IMS Reveals Best Pre-Cooling for Beef Delivery

Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) analysis shows supercooling best preserves beef flavor in shipping. ⁴

GC Links Blood DHA Levels to Brain Volume

Gas chromatography shows DHA, not EPA, tied to brain volume in older women. ⁵

Chromatography Purification Isolates Fish Peptide for Eczema Relief

Various chromatography techniques purify fish-derived peptide WPN-15, shown to ease eczema signs.⁶

HPLC-SEC-FLD Detects Carbon Nanodots in Beer

Size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-SEC-FLD) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) trace carbon nanodot glow to beer roasting process. ⁷

Industry Roundup: Waters Posts Strong Q2 Financial Results

Waters Q2 2026 results show strong chromatography instrument and consumables growth.⁸

Industry Roundup: AnalytiChem Launches Complete CONOSTAN Standards Range for ASTM D3606 Benzene/Toluene Testing

AnalytiChem launches CONOSTAN gas chromatography (GC) standards range covering full ASTM D3606 fuel testing workflow.⁹

References

1. Pozo-Garcia, V ;Chasse, J. HILIC vs Reversed-Phase LC for Central Carbon Metabolism Profiling. Chromatography Online website.https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/hilic-vs-reversed-phase-lc-for-central-carbon-metabolism-profiling(accessed 2026-08-07)

2. Held, D.; Jones, K. Beyond the Peak: What Keeps Women in Chromatography. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/beyond-the-peak-what-keeps-women-in-chromatography (accessed 2026-08-07)

3. Chasse, J. UHPLC–QTOF-MS Links Urine Profiles to ADHD. Chromatography Online website.https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/uplc-qtof-ms-links-urine-profiles-adhd(accessed 2026-08-07)

4. Chasse, J. GC-IMS Reveals Best Pre-Cooling for Beef Delivery. Chromatography Online website.https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/gc-ims-reveals-best-pre-cooling-beef-delivery (accessed 2026-08-07)

5. Chasse, J. GC Links Blood DHA Levels to Brain Volume. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/gc-links-blood-dha-levels-brain-volume(accessed 2026-08-07)

6. Chasse, J. Chromatography Purification Isolates Fish Peptide for Eczema Relief. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/chromatography-purification-isolates-fish-peptide-eczema-relief(accessed 2026-08-07)

7. Chasse, J. HPLC-SEC-FLD Detects Carbon Nanodots in Beer. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/hplc-sec-fld-detects-carbon-nanodots-beer (accessed 2026-08-07)

8. Chasse, J. Industry Roundup: Waters Posts Strong Q2 Financial Results. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/industry-roundup-waters-posts-strong-q2-financial-results (accessed 2026-08-07)

9. Chasse, J. Industry Roundup: AnalytiChem Launches Complete CONOSTAN Standards Range for ASTM D3606 Benzene/Toluene Testing. Chromatography Online website. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/industry-roundup-analytichem-launches-complete-conostan-standards-range-for-astm-d3606-benzene-toluene-testing (accessed 2026-08-07)