News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 08, 2026

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 16th February 2026? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!

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This week we bring you technical note by Agilent Technologies, presentation by MDCW / C³AL and application notes by BaySpec and Shimadzu!

1. Agilent Technologies: Why Do Loss of Resolution and Retention Time Shift Occur After Installing a New GC Column?

• Technical note
• Full PDF for download

When a new column is installed on an instrument that has been running an application for a long time, and all the instrument parameters are set to the same values as before, the resolution between a pair of critical analytes can drop unacceptably, creating concern that the column is defective. 

The chromatograms that accompany columns like these will show that the retention times of the poorly resolved peaks on the new column have shifted. This difference indicates a change in linear velocity of the carrier gas, since the run conditions were the same. 

Why did the retention times of those compounds shift under seemingly identical run conditions? The answer is that the run conditions are not identical because the columns are not truly identical. In any manufacturing process, products are built to tolerances. In the case of a GC capillary column, these tolerances include diameter and length. Even small differences in diameter and length will affect the actual velocity and flow rate through a column at a given head pressure.

2. BaySpec: Illicit Drug Detection & Identification Using the Continuity™ Field Portable Mass Spectrometer

• Application note
• Full PDF for download

The trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs inflict tremendous harm upon individuals, families, and communities throughout the United States and the world. Based on the report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, nearly 296 million people worldwide used drugs in 2022, with an estimated 64 million suffering from drug use disorders. The opioid epidemic alone has claimed over 160,000 lives in the United States over the past two years, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to combat this scourge.

Traditional methods of drug detection, such as laboratory-based analysis, are often time-consuming, costly, and require specialized personnel. These limitations make it challenging to address the rapid and widespread nature of drug trafficking and abuse. Moreover, the constant evolution of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances poses a significant challenge for law enforcement and public health officials, as these substances often evade detection using conventional methods. 

In recent years, portable mass spectrometry has emerged as a promising solution for the rapid detection and identification of illicit drugs. Unlike traditional laboratory instruments, portable mass spectrometers offer the advantage of on-site analysis, enabling law enforcement officers and first responders to quickly identify substances in real-time. This technology can be deployed in various settings, including border checkpoints, public events, and field investigations, providing a versatile and efficient tool for combating drug-related crimes. As the opioid crisis and the rise of synthetic drugs continue to pose significant challenges, the integration of portable mass spectrometry into drug detection strategies represents a critical step towards a safer and healthier society.

Instrumentation 

BaySpec Continuity™ Portable Mass Spectrometer was used equipped with a Swab-APCI source, specifically designed for TSA-approved swabs. The samples on swabs were converted into vapors via the Swab vaporizer unit, which then were drawn into the ionization chamber by the built-in sampling pump.

Conclusions 

In this study, we demonstrated the use of the Continuity™ Field Portable Mass Spectrometer equipped with a SwabAPCI ionization source for the detection and identification of various drugs. The capabilities of the instrument were assessed through the creation of calibration curves and surface sampling experiments using ten drug standards and four selected analytes: fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. By serial diluting these standards in methanol, we established calibration curves and determined the instrument’s Limits of Detection (LODs) in MS2 mode. These experiments highlighted the instrument’s ability to detect trace amounts of drugs with high sensitivity and specificity. 

The performance of the Continuity™ field portable mass spectrometer in both controlled and real-world scenarios underscores its potential as a rapid, on-site analytical tool. The results obtained from triplicate measurements reinforce the reliability of this method, making it a valuable asset for law enforcement and public health agencies in their efforts to combat drug-related issues. This study confirms that the portable MS system can quickly and effectively identify illicit substances, offering a practical solution for field investigations and real-time decision-making. As the landscape of illicit drug use continues to evolve, such advancements in portable analytical technology will be crucial in providing timely and accurate information for intervention and prevention strategies.

3. MDCW / C³AL: COUNTING DOUBLE BONDS: GC×GC–FID FOR PLASTIC PYROLYSIS OILS

• Presentation
• Full PDF for download

The presentation focuses on the analytical challenge of accurately quantifying olefins (double bonds) in plastic pyrolysis oils and alternative fuels derived from plastic waste. As chemical recycling processes such as pyrolysis and hydrothermal processing gain importance, detailed compositional analysis becomes essential. Pyrolysis oils are highly complex mixtures containing paraffins, iso-paraffins, olefins, cycloalkanes, aromatics, and multi-ring structures. Because olefin content strongly affects fuel stability and upgrading requirements, reliable quantification is critical.

Traditional bulk methods such as bromine number, bromine index, iodine value, FTIR, Raman, and NMR provide only total unsaturation and often suffer from interferences or limited selectivity. To achieve detailed group-type and compound-level analysis, the authors apply comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC×GC–FID). This technique delivers high resolution, reduces co-elution, and enables classification of linear, branched, cyclic, and aromatic olefins across wide boiling ranges.

To further improve quantitative accuracy, a selective adsorption approach using silver-modified silica (Ag–SiO₂) solid-phase extraction is introduced. Olefins are selectively retained, and comparison of GC×GC–FID chromatograms before and after adsorption allows precise determination of olefin content. This method is shown to be cost-effective and reliable for samples containing more than 5 wt% olefins.

Additionally, the presentation explores chemical derivatization of olefins using dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) and other disulfides to improve structural identification and quantification. While effective for lighter gasoline-range samples, challenges remain for heavier fuels such as jet and diesel fractions. Ongoing work focuses on testing heavier disulfides, optimizing reaction conditions, and validating results using ¹H NMR spectroscopy and future TOFMS analysis.

4. Shimadzu: Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Tattoo Inks Using GC-MS

• Application note
• Full PDF for download

User Benefits

•  GCMS-QP2020 NX supports effective analysis of PAHs in Tattoo inks.
• It provides an MFDS-based GC-MS method for PAHs in tattoo inks, enabling compliance with Korean regulations.

Tattoo inks have been utilized for diverse purposes throughout history, serving as cultural identifiers and means of personal expression. In contemporary society, tattooing extends beyond aesthetics and self-expression to include medical applications such as camouflage of scars and post-operative rehabilitation. Because these inks are injected directly into the dermal layer, rigorous safety and hygienic control are essential to ensure human health protection. 

Among the regulated constituents in tattoo inks, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of particular concern. PAHs comprise over a hundred structurally related compounds, commonly generated through incomplete combustion processes, vehicle exhaust, and tobacco smoke. Several PAHs have been classified as carcinogenic, and chronic exposure may lead to bioaccumulation and subsequent adverse health effects. 

In January 2022, the European Union implemented stringent restrictions through updated REACH regulations, limiting the presence of approximately 4,000 hazardous substances in tattoo and permanent make-up inks, including PAHs. 1) These regulations prohibit the use of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and sensitizing substances previously detected in such products. Since the enforcement date, only compliant inks are permitted for distribution and use within the EU. 

In South Korea, tattoo inks were regulated as consumer chemical products under the Ministry of Environment until June 2025. Due to increasing safety concerns, they have since been reclassified as sanitary products under the authority of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), resulting in the implementation of more stringent safety requirements. 2) 

This application news introduces the analytical methodology for quantification of PAHs in tattoo inks based on the MFDS regulatory standards (Notice 2025-36). Samples were prepared in accordance with the prescribed protocol, and PAH concentrations were determined using gas chromatography– mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode.

Analytical Conditions 

For the determination of PAHs in tattoo inks, a GCMS-QP2020 NX system was employed, as shown in Figure 1. The instrumental parameters and selected ion monitoring (SIM) conditions used for PAH analysis are summarized in Table 1.

Conclusions

Quantitative analysis of PAHs in tattoo inks was performed using the GCMS-QP2020 NX. Sample preparation followed the procedure outlined in the MFDS ‘Standards and Specifications for Sanitary Products.’ All eight PAH analytes showed excellent linearity, with correlation coefficients (R²) exceeding 0.999. Recovery tests showed values between 81.6% and 115.1%, with relative standard deviations (%RSD) ranging from 0.11% to 3.13%, demonstrating good accuracy and precision. These results confirm that the GCMS-QP2020 NX is a suitable instrument for PAH analysis in tattoo inks.