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News|Articles|June 26, 2026 (Updated: June 26, 2026)

Best of the Week: PFAS Detection, LC Troubleshooting, Deep Learning in Proteomics, and More

Author(s)John Chasse
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Key Takeaways

  • Inline mixing and feed injection provide additional levers to mitigate solvent-strength mismatch at injection, reducing peak distortion and improving robustness without re-optimizing the entire LC method.
  • A GC–MS-based approach accelerates and sensitizes measurement of volatile and semi-volatile PFAS in soil, strengthening environmental monitoring of “forever chemicals” and related contaminants.
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This week's Chromatography Online highlights span LC solvent mismatch solutions, advanced PFAS monitoring by GC–MS and TD–GC–MS, deep learning in DIA proteomics, multidimensional LC–MS for plant extracts, PEG column guidance, and LC–MS/MS and GC–MS applications in consumer product safety and disease research.

This week's offerings span a broad range of techniques and applications, reflecting the versatility and continued evolution of modern chromatography. We explore practical liquid chromatography (LC) troubleshooting strategies for handling solvent mismatch during sample injection, alongside advanced gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) methods pushing the boundaries of PFAS detection in both soil and air. On the data side, we examine the growing role of deep learning in proteomics and the analytical power of combining multidimensional liquid chromatography with ion mobility and high-resolution mass spectrometry for plant extract analysis. Rounding out the week, we tackle a common question about polyethylene glycol (PEG) columns in MS systems, investigate preservative limit breaches in personal care products uncovered by LC–tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and look at how GC–MS is shedding new light on the relationship between gut microbiota and the neurological condition myasthenia gravis.

This is the Best of the Week.

More Tools for Sample Injection When Faced with Mobile Phase/Sample Solvent Mismatch

This "LC Troubleshooting" column discusses how inline mixing and feed injection mitigate solvent mismatch and peak distortion in liquid chromatography.1

Advanced Gas Chromatography Methods for Detecting PFAS Contamination in Soil

Researchers have developed an advanced gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS)-based chromatographic method for faster and more sensitive detection of volatile and semi-volatile PFAS in soil, improving environmental monitoring of “forever chemicals” and related contaminants. LCGC International spoke to Maria Chiara Corviseri and Flavio A. Franchina of the University of Ferrara, two of the authors of a paper presenting their method.2

Deep Learning Challenges in DIA Proteomics Data Analysis

Georg Wallman, co-founder and managing director of Aplusia, explains how spectral library accuracy, retention time prediction, and instrument-specific variation make deep learning essential yet difficult in data-independent acquisition proteomics.3


HTC-19 Insights: Why Combine RPLC×HILIC, cIMS, and DIA-HRMS?

LCGC International spoke with Nikoline Juul Nielsen from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark about the benefits of comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (RPLC×HILIC)—cyclic ion mobility-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (cIMS) for analyzing plant extracts.4

Monitoring Volatile PFAS in Air and Emissions by TD–GC–MS

Learn how TD–GC–MS tracks volatile PFAS in air and emissions, meeting OTM-50 and ASTM D8591 limits for safer compliance.5

Can You Use a Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Phase in an MS?

Practical GC in gas chromatography: learn how PEG column bleed affects MS sensitivity, and when polar analytes still quantify reliably.6

LC–MS/MS Detects MCI/MI in Danish Soaps and Shampoos
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) testing reveals preservative limit breaches in Danish shampoos and soaps.7

GC–MS Reveals Gut Microbiota Links to Myasthenia Gravis

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used in the profiling of links between gut bacteria and metabolites to myasthenia gravis.8

References

1. Stoll, D. More Tools for Sample Injection When Faced with Mobile Phase/Sample Solvent Mismatch. Chromatography Online websitehttps://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/from-peak-to-plate-news-and-peer-reviewed-content(accessed 2026-06-26)

2. Corviseri, M. C.; Frachina, F. A. Advanced Gas Chromatography Methods for Detecting PFAS Contamination in Soil. Chromatography Online website https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/from-peak-to-plate-expert-insights-in-food-analysis(accessed 2026-06-26)

3. Wallman, G.; Jones, K. Deep Learning Challenges in DIA Proteomics Data Analysis. Chromatography Online websitehttps://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/development-fluorinated-spme-sorbents-selective-pfas-extraction-chromatographic-analysis (accessed 2026-06-26)

4. Nielsen, N. J.; Matheson, A.HTC-19 Insights: Why Combine RPLC×HILIC, cIMS, and DIA-HRMS?Chromatography Online website https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/htc-19-insights-why-combine-rplc-hilic-cims-and-dia-hrms- (accessed 2026-06-26)

5. Widdowson, C. Monitoring Volatile PFAS in Air and Emissions by TD–GC–MS. Chromatography Online website https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/monitoring-volatile-pfas-in-air-and-emissions-by-td-gc-ms (accessed 2026-06-26)

6. English, C. Can You Use a Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Phase in an MS?Chromatography Online website.https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/can-you-use-a-polyethylene-glycol-peg-phase-in-an-ms- (accessed 2026-06-26)

7. Chasse, J. LC–MS/MS Detects MCI/MI in Danish Soaps and Shampoos. Chromatography Online website.https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/lc-ms-ms-detects-mci-mi-in-danish-soaps-and-shampoos (accessed 2026-06-26)

8. Chasse, J. GC–MS Reveals Gut Microbiota Links to Myasthenia Gravis. Chromatography Online website.https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/gc-ms-reveals-gut-microbiota-links-to-myasthenia-gravis (accessed 2026-06-26)

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