News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 09, 2026

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 23rd 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 application notes by Agilent Technologies, Shimadzu and Waters Corporation and presentation by MDCW / William & Mary!

1. Agilent Technologies: Fast Distilled Spirit Analysis with an Agilent 8850 Gas Chromatograph and Long-Term Stability Test

• Application note
• Full PDF for download

In the distilled spirits industry, compounds such as alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and acids directly influence the flavor, quality, and stability of the spirits. Therefore, precise quantitative analysis of these compounds is a critical step to ensure the product meets quality standards. Traditional analytical methods1 are often time consuming, and quality control (QC) departments are eager to test a large number of samples in a short time to meet the real-time demands of production lines or quickly respond to quality issues. Rapid analytical solutions not only significantly improve work efficiency but also reduce wait times, ensuring smooth production processes and product stability. Additionally, fast and reliable analytical techniques can help identify potential process issues, thereby optimizing the production process. 

The Agilent 8850 GC system is a compact, purpose‑built, energy-efficient, and highly effective intelligent gas chromatograph designed specifically for laboratories requiring fast analysis. One of its standout features is the oven, which can heat up and cool down extremely quickly, making it ideal for rapid testing scenarios. In this study, an 8850 GC was used in combination with a highly inert, 10-meter DB-WAX column to conduct fast analysis of distilled spirits. The system performance was evaluated under different carrier gases, including nitrogen, helium, and hydrogen, to meet the varying needs of different laboratories. The results showed that the system could significantly reduce analysis time compared to 30-plus minute traditional methods, achieving a time savings of more than three-fold regardless of the carrier gas used. When hydrogen was used as the carrier gas, the performance was especially remarkable: all 17 key components in the distilled spirits were eluted within just 3 minutes, and the total cycle for a single sample only required 7 minutes. This represented a five-fold improvement in efficiency compared to conventional methods. The rapid analysis capabilities of this system provide a valuable solution for the distilled spirits industry, enabling faster and more efficient testing while maintaining the same level of accuracy and reliability as seen in traditional approaches.

Experimental 

Fast spirit analyses were performed using an 8850 GC equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID). Sample introduction was done using an Agilent 7650A automatic liquid sampler with a 5 μL syringe. Data was acquired and processed using OpenLab CDS 2.7.

Results and discussion 

Considering the varying needs of different laboratories, this study evaluated the performance of spirit analysis using nitrogen, helium, and hydrogen as carrier gases. For laboratories with cost-control requirements, the nitrogen method can be prioritized. For laboratories seeking high efficiency but unable to use hydrogen as a carrier gas, the helium method is a suitable choice. If ultra-fast analysis is desired, the hydrogen method can be selected.

Nitrogen carrier gas result 

Based on the rapid heating and cooling characteristics of the 8850 GC and the use of a 10-meter short column, this system enables the rapid analysis of spirits. When nitrogen is used as the carrier gas, the GC runtime for a single injection is 6.25 minutes, followed by a 1-minute postrun. The cooling and equilibration time is approximately 3 minutes, bringing the total analysis time for one sample to 11 minutes. As illustrated in Figure 2, the traditional method requires over 35 minutes to analyze a single sample, including cooling and equilibration time. In contrast, the fast method takes only 11 minutes. This significant time reduction allows the fast method to boost laboratory efficiency by more than three-fold within the same time frame. Although the analysis time is reduced significantly, Figure 3 demonstrates that the separation and peak shape results are excellent. Key compound groups, such as ethyl acetate, acetal, and methanol, exhibit sharp and symmetrical peaks with baseline separation. Ethyl lactate and n-hexanol also achieve complete baseline separation. Symmetrical peak shapes and good separation are prerequisites for accurate quantification, and the results from this system provide an excellent demonstration of accuracy.

Through the optimization of method parameters, excellent peak shapes and separation were achieved. Next, we proceeded with method validation, which included assessments of linearity, repeatability, limit of detection (LOD), and other performance checks. Considering the varying concentrations of each target component in several types of real samples, the linear range for each compound was different in this study, as detailed in Table 2. A 6-point calibration curve was established for each compound, with correlation coefficients all greater than or equal to 0.9992. Figure 4 presents the calibration curves for key alcohols, aldehydes, esters, and acids.

Conclusion 

This application note clearly demonstrates the positive impact of Agilent 8850 GC system, which is designed to be intelligent and user-friendly, highly efficient and fast, energy‑saving and environmentally friendly, and compact in size, on the quantitative analysis of key components in distilled spirits. By leveraging the Agilent 8850 GC rapid heating and cooling capabilities along with the use of a short column, the analysis time is reduced by one-third compared to traditional methods. This reduction in analysis time significantly enhances laboratory efficiency while consuming only one-third of the energy of conventional GC systems. Importantly, these improvements in speed and energy savings come without compromising chromatographic performance. 

In this study, we explored the separation and quantification of 17 key compounds in distilled spirits under three different carrier gas conditions tailored to the practical needs of various laboratories, yielding results that exceeded expectations. After over 2,000 injections of real samples, the retention times and peak shapes for alcohols, aldehydes, esters, and organic acids remained consistent, demonstrating the excellent inertness and stability of the system under predominantly aqueous sample conditions. This performance provides QC departments in the distilled spirits industry with a reliable method for rapid screening and accurate quantification.

2. MDCW / William & Mary: Application of GC×GC for the investigation of fermented beverages

• Presentation
• Full PDF for download

This presentation explores the use of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) for the non-targeted analysis of volatile compounds in mead. Conducted by the Nontargeted Separations Laboratory at William & Mary, the study focused on understanding how different yeast strains and honey concentrations influence the final aroma profile of fermented beverages. GC×GC provides enhanced separation power for complex mixtures, allowing researchers to resolve co-eluting compounds and capture a broader range of chemical features compared to traditional one-dimensional GC.

A total of five yeast strains and three honey concentrations were evaluated, generating a diverse batch dataset. Samples were prepared using headspace analysis with salt addition and an internal standard before GC×GC-TOFMS measurement. Advanced data processing workflows were implemented using ChromaTOF, ChromaTOF Sync2D, and R statistical software to align peaks across samples and enable multivariate statistical analysis. Dimensionality reduction techniques such as PCA, PCoA, and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were applied to reveal patterns, similarities, and compositional differences among the mead products.

The statistical models clearly demonstrated clustering based on yeast strain and honey concentration, highlighting how fermentation variables shape volatile organic compound (VOC) composition. Specific aroma-relevant compounds—including ethyl decanoate, ethyl octanoate, furfural, and 3-methylbutan-1-ol—were identified as contributors to observed differences in flavor profiles. The results confirm that GC×GC-TOFMS is a powerful strategy for characterizing complex fermented matrices and for distinguishing subtle chemical variations across product classes.

Overall, the study demonstrates that combining high-resolution chromatographic separation with multivariate statistical analysis provides meaningful insight into fermentation chemistry. GC×GC-TOFMS not only enhances compound coverage but also enables deeper understanding of the relationship between yeast metabolism and volatile metabolite production in fermented beverages.

3. Shimadzu: High-Speed Gas AnalysisUsing the FluxEdge GC System

• Application note
• Full PDF for download

User Benefits

• Simultaneous analysis of inorganic and organic gas components within a measurement cycle of 4 minutes.
• Achieves low carry over and high analytical repeatability with a small amount of sample.
• The backflush function that protects the column and the high-durability valve system provide long-term stability for the system.

In recent years, there has been an urgent need to address climate change and to realize a decarbonized society, and research and development of various technologies have been promoted. Among these, technologies to generate renewable energy using catalytic reactions are attracting attention. In the research and development of catalytic reactions, it is necessary to continuously grasp the changes in the composition of components before and after the reaction, so measurement in a short time is required. In addition, even when the gas produced after the reaction islimited to a small amount, it is necessary to be able to measure with high accuracy. Taking methane generation technology as an example, here we introduce a system for simultaneous analysis of hydrogen (H₂), oxygen (O₂), nitrogen (N₂), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and ethylene (C₂H₄), which are typical measurement targets in the research and development of such technologies.

Description of the system

Fig. 1 shows the appearance of the device. This system is an analyzer that combines the gas chromatograph Nexis GC-2030 with the latest technology, FluxEdge, achieving high-speed analysis and high analytical repeatability. The FluxEdge incorporates a microvalve that combines semiconductor manufacturing microfabrication technology with Shimadzu's cutting-edge passivation technology. This valve has very high durability and is essentially maintenance-free. The system is designed so that the entire analytical flow path, including this microvalve, is minimized, allowing for the use of industrystandard capillary columns. As a result, peaks are sharper, enabling high-speed analysis with trace samples. 

Fig. 2 presents a schematic diagram illustrating the structure and mechanism of the microvalve. The microvalve is a pneumatic diaphragm valve. Inside the valve, there are two spaces separated by a diaphragm, with the lower space containing the analytical flow path. When pneumatic gas is applied to the upper space, the pressure deforms the diaphragm, blocking the analytical flow path in the lower space. When pneumatic gas is not applied, the diaphragm returns to a flat state, allowing the analytical flow path to open. The diaphragm is made of single crystal silicon, a material used in microstructures such as MEMS, and the optimized valve operation mechanism provides several hundred times better durability compared to conventional rotary valves. 

Fig. 3 shows an overview of the FluxEdge main module. The FluxEdge main module, which plays a central role in the analysis conducted using this system. It is equipped with six microvalves and a sample loop, allowing efficient processing from pretreatment to analysis by switching each microvalve.

Conclusion 

The FluxEdge system detected peaks of H₂, O₂, N₂, CO, CO₂, CH₄, and C₂H₄ within 3 minutes. The measurement cycle, including preprocessing time, was found to be under 4 minutes, demonstrating the capability for fast simultaneous analysis. Good analytical repeatability was obtained for all target components mentioned above. Furthermore, the total sample consumption per cycle was measured to be 8.5 ml, which is less than one-tenth of conventional systems. Additionally, for the analysis of pure CH4 at 100 kPa, a low carry over of less than 0.005% was realized with a short sampling time of 15 seconds. These results indicate that sufficient sample cleaning and good analytical repeatability can be achieved with a small amount of sample. 

The results showing good analytical repeatability with the molecular sieve column series indicated that the backflush function prevents the intrusion of components that degrade the retention capability of the column, thus protecting the column. Furthermore, this system employs microvalves with durability hundreds of times higher than conventional ones, contributing to the long-term stability of the entire system.

4. Waters Corporation: High Temperature Gas Chromatography Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Using Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization GC/MS/MS

• Application note
• Full PDF for download

Benefits

• Improved characterization of PAHs through the combination of high temperature GC with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (HT GC-APCI) has application in research topics such as toxicity studies and environmental analyses such as the study of fate, transport and occurrence
• Use of a single gas for chromatographic separation, ionization and MS/MS fragmentation provides a simpler, more sustainable system
• Use of nitrogen reduces concerns over cost and supply chain reliability that periodically interfere with methods that rely on helium carrier gas
• Atmospheric pressure ionization with MS/MS helps overcome some limitations imposed by changes to chromatography required to facilitate high temperature analyses

Common GC/MS PAH methods target only the 16 parent PAHs in the U.S. EPA Priority Pollutant List with a maximum molecular weight of 278 Da.¹ Even methods with expanded analyte lists of 50 analytes or more frequently analyze no higher than 302 Da.² However, a number of publications using a variety of instrumentation have reported the presence of PAHs of up to 424 Da in both SRMs and sample extracts.^3-6 These HMW PAHs are of interest because toxicity modeling based on analysis of the EPA 16 alone has, in some instances, shown poor correlation to predicted health effects associated with the PAH content of samples.⁷ It is advisable then to investigate the possibility that inclusion of HMW PAHs in research on topics such as toxicity or environmental forensics may reveal more reliable correlations between specific HMW PAHs and health impacts or with determination of characteristics such as a sample’s petrogenic or pyrogenic origin.⁸ 

However, monitoring HMW PAHs is not without its challenges, especially if HT GC is employed. The columns used are typically shorter with a thinner stationary phase than those used in more conventional GC/MS methods. This is primarily to reduce excessive column bleed at high temperature, but can result in reduced sample loading capacity and reduced chromatographic resolution. Using tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), as opposed to GC/MS, often adds sufficient specificity to a HT GC-MS/MS method to regain separation of high boiling analytes not fully chromatographically resolved on shorter, thin film columns. The sensitivity of MS/MS also helps address the reduced loading capacity of these columns. This makes MS/MS a key enabling technology for successful HT GC-MS/MS method implementation. 

While carrier gas flow rate is another important condition for optimization of chromatographic separations, it is often overlooked when using electron ionization (EI) instruments because the vacuum in the ionization source imposes flow rate limitations on the GC. Atmospheric pressure ionization interfaces, such as the atmospheric pressure chemical ionization GC (APGCTM) source, not only tolerate high carrier gas flows, but also adapt well to the use of either helium or nitrogen carrier gas. This is another way in which the GC-APCI technology facilitates HT GC/MS/MS because it is common in these methods to ramp the carrier gas flow rate to efficiently separate analytes that elute near the maximum temperature of the oven ramp. 

Coal tar SRMs from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) contain significant amounts of well characterized PAHs of ≤302 Da. In addition, they are reported to contain HMW PAHs ≥314 Da of high abundance but lack quantitative reference values and individual analyte identification. So, while the presence of the HMW PAHs in the SRMs make them well suited to the evaluation of HT chromatographic separations, target analysis using MS/MS may be challenged by the absence of individual standards for each analyte in this high mass range. However, optimization of parameters for the lower mass, well-characterized individual PAHs contain trends that allowed the development of a HMW PAH class-specific acquisition scheme using multiple MRM transitions for monitoring of PAHs in the range of 314 to 424 Da. 

In this work, the analysis of HMW PAHs was demonstrated to evaluate the HT GC/MS/MS performance of APGC on Xevo™ TQ Absolute tandem quadrupole Mass Spectrometer using NIST SRMs 1597a and 1991.

Experimental

• GC system: 8890 (Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
• MS system: Xevo TQ Absolute Mass Spectrometer

Conclusion 

Combining APGC MS/MS with high temperature GC separations allows the detection of an expanded list of PAHs. This expanded analyte list provides researchers in food and environmental applications with more comprehensive chemical characterization of PAH profiles in complex matrices with the potential for higher specificity. This increased specificity may contribute to improvements in toxicity assessment and environmental forensic analyses. Because of the analyte properties of the HMW PAHs investigated, such as high boiling point, low vapor pressure and poor water solubility, they present a promising compound class for improving the accurate chemical characterization of samples across longer periods and for samples exposed to harsh conditions. Further study of extracted samples and the evaluation of standards of individual HMW PAHs is warranted to definitively establish relationships between expanded PAH profiles and specific sample characteristics.