The Column - Digital Edition - 09/20/2012

The article discusses the application of a hybrid organic/inorganic surface technology that forms a barrier between the sample and the metal surfaces of both the HPLC system and chromatographic column. Formed by a vapor deposition of an ethylene-bridged siloxane polymer on metal substrates), this technology effectively addresses common chromatographic challenges such as analyte loss, carryover, and peak tailing due to metal-analyte interactions. It improves peak symmetry and areas, as well as reproducibility, thereby not only benefiting challenging analytes but also increasing confidence in analytical results. We demonstrate the benefits of this technology through the analysis of B-group vitamins, steviol glycosides, and dextran oligosaccharides typically found in food, beverages, and dietary supplements, showcasing its critical role in improving chromatographic performance.

The European Commission's regulation on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food highlights the need for precise and reliable methods to quantify per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various food matrices. This article discusses development and validation of a robust method for analyzing 21 PFAS compounds in chicken eggs using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS).

A joint study by the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Reading and Synergy Flavours aimed to identify volatiles that contribute to the aroma of cooked cheese, including the role of fat content in development during cooking.

Although automated peak detection functionalities are available in commercially accessible software, utilizing visual inspection and manual adjustments to achieve optimal true positive rates is often necessary. A recent study conducted by the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (Delhi, India) used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) to distinguish hetero-variants (glycoforms) resulting in a monoclonal antibody (mAb) able to be characterized, revealing discernible peaks at the intact level. LCGC International spoke to Anurag Rathore, corresponding author for the article, about his department’s findings.