Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 22nd September 2025? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezICPMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you application notes by Agilent Technologies, EST Analytical, Shimadzu and Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: A Chemometric Approach for Ambient Air Monitoring Using Thermal Desorption GC/MS</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_voc_8890_chemometric_ambient_air_monitoring_5994_8451en_agilent_fef7d171bb.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Monitoring VOCs is crucial for assessing air quality in industrial and urban settings. These compounds, which include propene, hexachlorobutadiene, and naphthalene, vary in volatility and encompass both polar and nonpolar chemicals. Recognizing the importance of standardized monitoring, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has developed specific methodologies for these compounds under the IS 5182 series.&nbsp;IS 5182-27 focuses on the measurement of vapor-phase organic chemicals such as vinyl chloride and nC22 hydrocarbons in air and gaseous emissions. This method employs diffusive (passive) sampling onto sorbent tubes or cartridges, followed by TD (see Figure 1) and capillary GC analysis. The passive sampling approach offers advantages in terms of ease of deployment and cost-effectiveness, making it suitable for widespread monitoring applications.To reveal relevant patterns and sources of variation in these large environmental datasets according to the IS-5182 guidance, this application note proposes chemometric analysis using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=6&amp;search=TD100-xr">Markes TD100-xr automated thermal desorber</a> (Figure 2) and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8890+gc">Agilent 8890 GC system</a> with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=5977c">5977C GC/MSD</a> (Figure 3). Chemometrics is a discipline that uses mathematics, statistics, and formal logic to design or select optimal experimental procedures. Chemometric techniques commonly used for clustering are the hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis and PCA with factor analysis.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>This application note highlights the comparison of different air sampling strategies and shows their effect on qualitative and quantitative analysis of VOCs. Active (pumped) sampling helped with faster analysis, which is required for controlled and sensitive real-time monitoring of ambient air. Chromatograms of air sampled at various locations showed the presence of VOCs such as benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylenes. Many common and unique compounds were found at each location. The intensity of these compounds showed variations at different locations. Fewer compounds with lower intensities were observed in air samples from a residential area, whereas more compounds with higher intensities were observed in air samples from a traffic area.&nbsp;Passive sampling was a comparatively cost‑effective and long-term approach and provided consistent replicate results. The chromatographic overlays of different sampling times indicated an increasing trend in peak intensities with respect to time. There was a considerable rise in peak intensities for the 1-week sampling period, as compared to 24-hour sampling. There was a slight rise in peak intensities for the 2-week sampling period, as compared to 1-week sampling. The PCA plot suggested the peak distribution obtained in each dataset. One-week sampling results showed consistent replicate results. Use of the chemometrics software Agilent Mass Profiler Professional added value by providing data visualization for interpretation.<h3>2. EST Analytical: USEPA 524.2 Method Validation Using the Evolution Purge and Trap Concentrator and the Centurion WS Autosampler</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Purge_and_Trap_524_2_Application_Note_2d327854f2.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>USEPA Method 524.2 calls for purge and trap sampling coupled with a Gas Chromatograph (GC) and Mass Spectrometer (MS) for separation and analysis. It has an extensive list of compounds and requires lower detection limits due to its use in drinking water testing. A 20% relative standard deviation for compound response factors is required across the calibration curve while the calibration check standard analytes have to be within 30% of the expected concentration.&nbsp;Currently, this method calls for a 5mL or 25mL purge volume and a four minute desorb time. These method requirements can pose a challenge for the analyst due to the amount of moisture that is created. The negative effects of the increased water vapor include instability of the chromatography, band eluting and poor peak shape to name a few. A side effect of this instability is sample re-runs and lost laboratory productivity. In addition, a common practice for mitigating moisture is increasing the GC inlet split rate. This poses yet another difficulty as the increased split rate can result in reduced sensitivity. EST Analytical’s eight port valve in the Evolution purge and trap concentrator aids in limiting the water exposure because the water management of the system is not part of the desorb pathway. This feature also enables laboratories to use a smaller split ratio at the GC inlet thus increasing sensitivity.<h4>Experimental</h4>The sampling system used for this study was the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/2160"> EST Analytical Evolution purge and trap concentrator </a>and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/2159">Centurion WS autosampler</a>. The concentrator was affixed with a Vocarb 3000 trap and connected to an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=1&amp;search=7890A">Agilent 7890A GC</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=1&amp;search=5975C">5975C inert XL MS</a>. The GC was configured with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=9&amp;search=Rxi-624+Sil+MS">Restek Rxi-624 Sil</a> MS 30m x 0.25mm x 1.4µm column. Sampling parameters are listed in Table 1 while Table 2 enumerates the GC/MS parameters.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the Evolution/Centurion purge and trap sampling system. The results passed all of the USEPA Method 524.2 criteria for both linearity and detection limits. Since the Evolution bypasses the water management trap during the four minute desorb process, the amount of water effecting the experiments was limited. Furthermore, the forty to one split ratio at the GC inlet provided excellent detection limits as the system was more sensitive to the low level standard requirements of the method. The lower split rate has an added benefit of reducing laboratory helium consumption when setting it against other system’s higher split ratios. Finally, the precision and percent recovery results showed the reliability of the system in producing accurate experimental findings.<h3>3. Shimadzu: Dual-Column Analysis of Blood AlcoholContent (BAC) Using Nitrogen Carrier Gas with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Brevis+GC-2050">Brevis GC-2050</a></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00899_en_af0d9bafe7.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Analysis of blood alcohol content (BAC) and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is essential for law enforcement agencies to determine alcohol intoxication and its role in traffic accidents, assaults, and injuries, as well as to identify the causes of certain criminal behaviors, poisonings, and so on.&nbsp;Typically, this analysis is performed by a gas chromatograph (GC) that is combined with a headspace sampler (HS) and a flame ionization detector (FID). Since accurate results are essential with BAC analysis, 2 columns can be used with different separation characteristics so that cross-checking can be performed. By using an integrated HS-GC system equipped with 2 FIDs connecting to a dual-column configuration, crosschecking can be performed in a single analysis. In this system, the columns are directly connected to the transfer line using a 2-hole ferrule, which minimizes sample losses due to adsorption.&nbsp;In addition to the high-end <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Nexis+GC-2030">Nexis GC-2030</a>, Shimadzu also offers the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Brevis+GC-2050">Brevis GC-2050</a> as a compact gas chromatography solution, and in this Application News, it is used with an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=HS-20+NX+headspace+sampler">HS-20 NX headspace sampler </a>(Fig. 1) to perform BAC analysis. Hydrogen was used as the carrier gas in a similar experiment in Application News 01-00570, but in this experiment, nitrogen was used because it is a cheaper alternative carrier gas. Nitrogen generally has an adverse effect on separation, so this experiment also investigated the conditions for separation for 10 types of blood VOCs.<h4>Separation of 10 Blood VOCs&nbsp;</h4>A solution of 10 VOCs spiked with blood (0.1 mg/mL) was analyzed to determine the separation of methanol, acetaldehyde, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetonitrile, acetone, tert-butanol, 1-propanol, methyl ethyl ketone, and ethyl acetate. The resulting chromatogram is shown in Fig. 6. All peaks were detected within 6.0 minutes in the BAC PLUS1 column and within 3.5 minutes in the BAC PLUS2 column, indicating good separation. The elution sequence of the 10 blood VOCs differed significantly between the columns, which enhanced the system’s qualitative capability. Table 4 shows the retention time of each compound and the repeatability (n=5) of the peak area ratio for the tert-butanol internal standard.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>This experiment involved dual-column analysis of blood alcohol content (BAC) by the compact Brevis GC-2050 and the HS-20 NX. Dual-column configuration enables cross-checking in a single analysis. In addition, nitrogen was used as the carrier gas instead of helium. While hydrogen enables high-speed analysis, it also requires careful handling, so from the perspective of safety, installation of various optional tools such as hydrogen sensor and stop valve have been recommended. Nitrogen gas is relatively inexpensive and easy to handle, and this experiment demonstrated that it also provides reliable results while maintaining good separation.<h3>4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Routine analysis of 7N high purity gallium phosphide by Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_003578_ioms_gd_ms_element_gd_plus_gallium_an003578_em_en_1666255eb4.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Gallium phosphide (GaP) is a semiconductor material used in electronic and optoelectronic devices, including light-emitting Diodes (LEDs), solar cells as well as high-frequency and high-power electronics1-5. GaP wafers offer several advances over traditional silicon wafers, including high efficiency, high-speed operation, and highpower handling capabilities4-5.&nbsp;This application note describes the direct analysis of impurities in high purity gallium phosphide with sub-ppb detection limits using the Thermo Scientific <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1690">Element GD PLUS GD Mass Spectrometer</a>.&nbsp;<h4>Experiment&nbsp;</h4>The flat samples are analyzed directly, with no digestion required. Instrumental conditions for the analysis with the Element GD PLUS GD-MS are shown in Table 1. Potential sample surface contaminations were removed by short presputtering within the instrument.&nbsp;<h4>Method development&nbsp;</h4>The developed method ensures a reliable separation of interferences from the analyte ions. The interferences PO, POH and GaGa could potentially lead to falsely high Ti, Ba and Ce results. The formation of these interferences is low in the fast-flow source of the Element GD PLUS GD-MS: 69Ga69Ga/69Ga ≈ 1 ppm and ( 31P16O1 H + 31P17O)/31P ≈ 10 ppm. They can easily be resolved at Medium Mass Resolution (R = M / Δm = 4000). This is visualized in the mass scans shown in Figures 1 and 2 with much wider mass windows than later being used for quantification. Therefore, the Medium Mass Resolution of the Element GD PLUS GD-MS enables interference free measurements of Ti, Ba and Ce in GaP matrix.<h4>Conclusions&nbsp;</h4>Trace contaminations in 7N high purity gallium phosphide can be determined reliably and routinely with the Element GD PLUS GD-MS without prior digestion.&nbsp;While most analytes like Ti, Ba and La are resolved from interferences in medium mass resolution (R = 4000), high mass resolution (R = 10000) is required for Ag because of the GaAr interference. Sub-ppb detection limits, even for elements like Sb and Ge, are achieved by neglectable formation of triatomic interferences and reduced abundance sensitivity. That is enabled by the fast-flow source design and the reverse Nier-Johnson geometry.Semiquantitative quantification of element concentrations can be performed without standard reference materials using the standard RSF factor approach. The high sensitivity of the instrument, the reliable separation of interferences in medium and high mass resolution, the outstanding peak stability, the low formation of interferences and the low abundance sensitivity enable limits of detection of 0.05 to 1 ppb for most elements.&nbsp;The sum of all impurities in the GaP sample was below 50 ppb, implying that a purity of 7N GaP can be assessed with the instrument.

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 39, 2025

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 10th November 2025? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezICPMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you applicaton notes by Agilent Technologies, EST Analytical and Shimadzu!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: Improved Thermal Stability Leads to Retention Time Stability and Data Accuracy for the Analysis of Pesticides</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_pesticide_gc_ms_5994_8447en_agilent_773f1f135b.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>The analysis of trace-level pesticides is required by many governmental regulatory authorities at varying concentrations and can include hundreds of target analytes. As many of the matrices tested are complex and the analytes active, a robust and inert gas chromatography method is required.1 Heavy matrices can be difficult for analytical gas chromatography columns, and higher temperatures may be required to elute the matrix off of the column. To avoid damage from high temperatures and heavy matrix, a thermally stable and ultra inert analytical column phase is needed to successfully perform this analysis. The Agilent J&amp;W 5Q series of gas chromatography columns provide the most thermally stable column available and offer inertness for difficult analytes.2 The increased thermal stability not only dramatically reduces column bleed but also allows for less spectral interference at higher temperatures, leading to less need for background subtraction when searching analyte spectra against commercially available libraries.&nbsp;While column bleed is a normal phenomenon, the increase of the baseline due to column bleed is an indication of the column phase breaking down and leading to retention time shifts. Retention time shifting can be especially difficult with the analysis of pesticides, since sensitive detectors such as mass spectrometers and triple quadrupole systems collected in selected ion mode (SIM) or multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode are required to achieve lower limits of detection. In both SIM and MRM collection methods, time segment windows are stated for analytes of interest, and if a retention time shifts earlier, it can move out of the collection window and require time to update the analytical collection method. By using a GC column with increased thermal stability, such as the Agilent J&amp;W DB-5Q or the Agilent J&amp;W HP-5Q, the column will be more robust to thermal and matrix damage. These columns will also maintain consistent retention times over long periods of analytical stress.&nbsp;Retention time locking is a useful tool in the analysis of pesticides, as it can adjust column flow or pressure to normalize retention times, so that the retention times of the analytes are the same from system to system or column to column.3,4 When columns with identical selectivity are interchanged, after a single injection of a test mix, the analysis can be relocked and the column flow adjusted, based on the initial calibration, to be identical as in the original method. This eliminates the need to constantly update retention times in analytical methods for SIM or MRM windows or data processing methods when replacing analytical columns.&nbsp;When analyzing pesticides in heavy matrix, a guard column can serve two additional benefits. The guard column can help protect the analytical column from heavy matrix damage and can improve solvent and sample focusing. It is recommended to use nonpolar solvents when working with nonpolar column phases, such as the DB-5Q and HP-5Q columns. Recently it has become more common to prepare heavy matrices for pesticide analysis using QuEChERs-type preparations, with a final solvent of acetonitrile. Solvent-column phase polarity mismatch can lead to improper solvent focusing and wettability leading to improper peak shape, especially when working with columns that have low free silanol content on the deactivated surface of the fused silica. Use of a guard column can help to refocus the solvent and analytes to maintain proper peak shape.5&nbsp;The Agilent 7010D GC/TQ uses the new Agilent High Efficiency Source (HES) 2.0 equipped with a novel dipolar RF lens that redirects carrier gas and low mass ions by &gt;&nbsp;95%, helping to reduce noise and extend instrument robustness while maintaining sensitivity.6 When using DB-5Q and HP‑5Q columns in conjunction with the HES 2.0, it is possible to increase the overall robustness of the workflow for the analysis of pesticides over a wide dynamic range of analyte&nbsp;concentrations.&nbsp;<h4>Experimental&nbsp;</h4>An <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8890">Agilent 8890 GC</a> coupled with an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=5977B">Agilent 5977B GC/MSD</a> with an Inert Extractor Source was used for acquisition of data and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=MassHunter+10.0+Qualitative+Analysis">MassHunter 10.0 Qualitative Analysis software</a> was used for data analysis. NIST20 library was used to confirm peak identification. A retention gap of one meter was used as a guard column to help protect the analytical column from heavy matrix and to aid in solvent focusing.<h4>Results and discussion&nbsp;</h4>The analysis of pesticides requires retention time stability as well as consistency from analytical column to analytical column. To compare the analytical performance of an Agilent J&amp;W DB-5Q to an Agilent J&amp;W DB-5ms UI GC column for the analysis of pesticides, a standard was first analyzed on a DB-5ms UI and the retention time locked for chlorpyrifosmethyl. The DB-5ms UI column was then replaced with a DB-5Q, and once the column was conditioned, the representative pesticide mix was again analyzed and relocked to the appropriate retention time for chlorpyrifos-methyl and analyzed again. Figure 1 demonstrates the identical selectivity of the DB-5ms UI to the DB-5Q phases and the ability to relock an existing analytical method when upgrading columns and compatibility with existing retention time locking libraries.&nbsp;Additionally, when comparing the baseline of the DB-5Q to the DB-5ms UI column at the upper temperature limit of the chromatographic method, the increased thermal stability of the DB-5Q allows for a significant decrease in column bleed at upper temperature limits (Figure 1).<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>This application note demonstrated that the Agilent J&amp;W DB-5Q column has identical selectivity to the Agilent J&amp;W DB-5ms UI column, allowing for seamless adoption and use with existing retention time locking methods. The robust DB-5Q column phase maintained retention time stability even when analyzing heavy matrices and temperature cycling. The increased thermal stability not only decreased the baseline at higher temperatures but also allowed for less spectral interference and high library match factor scores. The analytical performance of the Agilent J&amp;W DB-5Q column coupled with the Agilent 7010D with the HES 2.0 ion source allows for optimal sensitivity and wide dynamic range of pesticide compounds.<h3>2. EST Analytical: Automated Sampling of Methanol Extractions</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Purge_and_Trap_Automated_Sampling_of_Methanol_Extractions_f521577cc4.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Environmental labs are required to perform methanol extractions on highly contaminated solid waste samples. Additionally, these extractions are used for difficult matrices, for example oily waste samples, that are also soluble in methanol. Due to the variety of matrices that can be extracted with methanol there are assorted hurdles to cross in order to automate the sampling process. One of these obstacles is how the matrix can absorb the extraction solvent. For example, many soil samples require more methanol; due to the soil expanding with the solvent addition. Adding more methanol aids in rectifying this issue however, when automating sampling, the added methanol coupled with the soil expansion needs to be accommodated. For this reason, EST Analytical created software for the Centurion WS that allows the user to program the needle depth to different distances. In doing this, laboratories are able to sample soils at higher depths in order to adjust for sample absorption and at lower depths for samples that do not require the added solvent. In order to test volatile compounds in methanol extractions, a portion of the extract needs to be sampled from the vial, diluted, and purged on a purge and trap concentrator. This examination will look at the automated sampling of three different soil matrices.&nbsp;<h4>Experimental:&nbsp;</h4>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/2159">Centurion WS autosampler</a> with the syringe option and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/2160">Evolution purge and trap concentrator</a> were set up to run methanol extractions. Since this is a volatile analysis, a Vocarb 3000 (K) trap was used for the analytical trap. The sampling system was configured to an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1-10&amp;search=7890A">Agilent 7890A Gas Chromatograph (GC)</a> and an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1-10&amp;search=5975C">Agilent 5975C inert XL Mass Spectrometer (MS)</a>. The column selected for this analysis was a Restek Rxi®-624 Sil MS, with dimensions of 30m x 0.25mm I.D. x 1.4µm film thickness. Experimental parameters used for this analysis are listed in Tables 1 and 2.<h4>Conclusions:&nbsp;</h4>The system produced excellent results. The curve and the compound response factors met all of the method requirements. The overall precision was less than 5% RSD while the system showed an average recovery of 94%. When examining the expected analyte concentration to the extracted sand results, it was found that the average recovery was approximately 102%. Thus, the automated extraction performed extremely well. When comparing the three different matrices it was found that they all displayed similar recoveries, however the sand matrix did perform the best of the three as expected since sand tends not to absorb analytes as readily as other matrices. Finally, the ability to control the needle depth on extraction samples was a great benefit for the different matrices as the system exhibited no issues with needle clogging due to the higher needle depth when performing the potting soil extractions. As demonstrated from this study, the Centurion WS automated extraction capability would be an asset to any lab performing extractions.<h3>3. Shimadzu: Fatty Acid Analysis of Edible Oils by GC</h3>Comparing Helium and Hydrogen as Carrier GasesComparing Analysis by GC with a Simple Screening Analysis by LC-MS<ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00852_en_e928ab40ea.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>There are a variety of edible oils that are sold commercially for a range of uses. They are almost entirely composed of compounds called triacylglycerols (neutral lipids), which consist of three fatty acids bound to a glycerol molecule. Because fatty acids affect the functional characteristics of food, determining the fatty acid composition of food is an important area of analysis. In this Application News, the Brevis GC-2050 (GC-FID) is used to determine the fatty acid composition of commercially available edible oils, and the use of hydrogen as a carrier gas is examined and compared with helium. This Application News also analyzes the same edible oils analyzed by LC-MS in a previous Application News1) and comparesthe results.<h4>Equipment&nbsp;</h4>GC-FID analysis was performed using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Brevis+GC-2050">Brevis GC-2050</a> gas chromatograph (Fig.1) , which is designed to be highly compact, with an installation footprint 35 % smaller than the previous model. The Brevis GC-2050 is also equipped with a carrier gas saving mode that reduces carrier gas consumption. The carrier gas saving mode reduced the use of helium carrier gas by around 89 % and hydrogen carrier gas by around 79 % in the analyses described in this article. Hydrogen carrier gas also reduced analysis times by around 25 %.<h4>Results from Real-World Sample Analysis&nbsp;</h4>Edible oils were derivatized and analyzed using both helium and hydrogen carrier gases. Peaks that could not be identified with the calibration standard (37 FAME mixture) were analyzed by GC-MS to determine their carbon number and degree of unsaturation. (Labeled as isomer.) Fig. 4 shows the chromatograms (partial) obtained from analyzing linseed oil with helium and hydrogen carrier gases. Similar separation was achieved with both gases.<h4>Comparing GC-FID and FIA-MS&nbsp;</h4>Tables 5 and 6 compare the results of analyzing eight vegetable oils for fatty acids by FIA-MS (screening analysis) and GC-FID (a helium carrier). The results reveal characteristic features of the vegetable oils, such as the most abundant fatty acids, and that coconut oil contains fatty acids with relatively low carbon numbers. More information about the screening analysis performed with a single quadrupole mass spectrometer can be found in Shimadzu Application News 01-00674-EN. 1)<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>In this Application News, the Brevis GC-2050 was used to determine the fatty acid composition of edible oils. Fatty acid analysis is typically performed using helium as the carrier gas, but in this study, hydrogen was used. This reduced analysis times while producing results that compared favorably with helium. Given the current supply issues associated with helium, hydrogen should be considered as an alternative to helium.&nbsp;The results also show that fatty acid compositions determined by FIA-MS correlate well with results obtained by GC-FID. And because the sample pretreatment only requires sample dilution, analysis by FIA-MS is rapid, taking just 1 minute. Therefore, FIAMS seems particularly well-suited to the screening of large numbers of samples or when there is an urgent need to verify quality or safety

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 46, 2025

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 24th November 2025? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezICPMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you brochure by Agilent Technologies, poster by LECO /MDCW, and application notes by Shimadzu and Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: GC workflows for hydrogen vehicles and natural gas blending - Hydrogen Fuel Testing Solutions</h3><ul><li>Brochure</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ac_hydrogen_fuel_purity_matters_compendium_5994_8643en_agilent_8da57fb7a2.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Agilent’s Hydrogen Fuel Testing Solutions compendium highlights the growing importance of reliable impurity analysis as hydrogen becomes a key clean-energy fuel. Because contaminants such as moisture, sulfur compounds, ammonia, oxygen, or organics can compromise fuel-cell performance and safety, the brochure emphasizes that hydrogen purity must be monitored throughout the entire supply chain—from production to storage, transport, and final distribution. Hydrogen blended into natural gas introduces additional challenges, since existing pipeline infrastructure was not originally designed for hydrogen, making rigorous analytical control essential for preventing corrosion, equipment malfunction, and safety issues.To address these challenges, Agilent presents a comprehensive suite of GC-based hydrogen testing workflows. The compendium showcases key analytical instruments—such as the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8890">Agilent 8890 GC</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8355+SCD">8355 SCD</a>, 8255 NCD, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=5977C">5977C GC/MSD</a>, and portable <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=990+Micro+GC">990 Micro GC</a>—each tailored for detecting critical impurities at trace levels in accordance with ISO 14687-2019, SAE J2719, and other global standards. Featured application notes demonstrate capabilities including ultratrace ammonia monitoring, analysis of sulfides and halides, sulfur speciation, and fast impurity screening for hydrogen and natural gas streams.Beyond instrumentation, the brochure outlines Agilent’s service ecosystem supporting method deployment, instrument verification, sustainability strategies, and lab operations management through CrossLab services and OpenLab software. These include preventive maintenance programs, financial solutions, certified pre-owned instruments, and consulting for analytical method development.Finally, the brochure connects hydrogen-fuel purity testing with broader sustainability goals. Agilent encourages laboratories to adopt circular-economy practices—reducing waste, extending instrument lifecycles, and improving energy efficiency—emphasizing that clean hydrogen starts with responsible, efficient, and reliable laboratory workflows.<h3>2. LECO / MDCW: BOOSTING NON-TARGETED ANALYSIS WITH COMPREHENSIVE TWO-DIMENSIONAL GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY AND HIGH-RESOLUTION MASS SPECTROMETRY</h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/FL_18_Sebastiano_b4cf417f82.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>The presentation by Sebastiano Panto (LECO EATC Berlin) focuses on demonstrating how comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=2-13-3&amp;mainauthorItems=24">GC×GC-HR-TOFMS</a>) significantly enhances non-targeted and targeted screening workflows, particularly in environmental analysis. Using liver extracts from Glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) from the Svalbard region as a case study, the work aims to reveal contamination patterns and improve compound identification confidence.Sample preparation included homogenization, lipid removal, and multi-step cleanup involving GPC/SEC chromatography and Florisil fractionation, yielding separate non-polar and polar fractions for analysis (page 4). Analytical separations were performed on an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8890+GC">Agilent 8890 GC</a> equipped with a dual-column GC×GC setup (Rxi-5SilMS and Rxi-17SilMS), cryogenic modulation, and Helium carrier gas. Detection used the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=24&amp;search=Pegasus+HRT%2B4D+HR-TOFMS">LECO Pegasus® HRT+4D HR-TOFMS</a> with multiple ionization modes—EI, PCI, and ECNI—enabling simultaneous acquisition of structural, isotopic, and exact-mass information (page 5).The results highlight the advantages of GC×GC-HR-TOFMS in non-target screening: improved separation patterns, higher library match scores, exact-mass confirmation, and enhanced structural elucidation. Electron ionization (EI) provided clean spectra with high match scores for classic pollutants (e.g., PCBs, DDE), while electron capture negative ionization (ECNI) greatly improved selectivity and sensitivity for halogenated contaminants such as toxaphenes and brominated flame retardants, enabling confident identification even when EI spectra were ambiguous (pages 6–13). The instrument’s high mass accuracy and isotopic fidelity are shown to be essential for distinguishing closely related halogenated compounds.The study concludes that combining GC×GC separation power with HR-TOFMS accurate-mass detection and complementary ionization modes offers a robust discovery platform for environmental exposomics. This analytical workflow supports more confident annotation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and emerging contaminants in complex biological matrices, ultimately helping assess ecological risks in sensitive Arctic ecosystems where these avian species reside (page 15).<h3>3. Shimadzu: High-Sensitivity Gas Analysis Using the GCMS-QP2050 and GI-30 Auto Gas Injector</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00953_en_7e1a865aae.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Gas analysis is conducted across a wide range of fields, including resources, energy, and the environment. Typical targets include inorganic gases such as H2, CO, and CO2, and light hydrocarbon gases starting with CH4, with analyses primarily performed using GC. In Application News No. 01- 00858, examples of gas sample analysis using TCD and BID installed on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Brevis+GC-2050">Brevis GC-2050</a> were presented.&nbsp;However, qualitative analysis by GC requires standard substances, making the identification of unknown impurities in gas samples difficult. Furthermore, in inorganic gas analysis, complete chromatographic separation of peaks can be challenging, and when GC fails to fully separate them, both qualitative and quantitative analysis become difficult.&nbsp;In contrast, gas analysis using GC-MS enables qualitative identification of unknown components without standard substances through mass spectral library searches. Quantitation in GC-MS is performed using mass chromatograms, allowing accurate measurements even when peaks overlap.&nbsp;In this Application News, high-sensitivity analysis of inorganic gases and light hydrocarbon gases was performed using the compact yet high-performance <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=GCMS-QP2050">GCMS-QP2050</a>. Gas samples were introduced using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=GI-30">GI-30 Auto Gas Injector</a>, enabling automated, continuous analysis and delivering higher reproducibility than manual sample injection.<h4>Instrument Configuration and Analytical Conditions&nbsp;</h4>A 10 ppm standard mixed gas sample in a cylinder was analyzed using the GCMS-QP2050. Gas sample injection into the GC-MS was performed with the GI-30 Auto Gas Injector (P/N: S221- 89755-41). The instrument configuration is shown in Fig. 1. The analytical conditions used are summarized in Table 1. Under typical ionization settings (ionization voltage 70 V and emission current 60 µA), ionization of the helium carrier gas generates a significant signal at m/z 2, making detection of H2 (monitor ion: m/z 2) difficult. Therefore, for analysis in SIM mode, the ionization voltage was set to 20 V and the emission current to 20 µA to suppress He ionization.<h4>Automated Continuous Analysis Using the GI-30&nbsp;</h4>The GI-30 Auto Gas Injector is a sample pretreatment device that automatically introduces a fixed volume of gas into the GC. It is used by connecting either a gas cylinder or a sample bag. When the GI-30 is connected to a gas cylinder, automated, continuous analysis of gassamples becomes possible.&nbsp;The GI-30 is equipped with an optional valve purge mechanism. Purging the internal valve with gas reduces the ingress of ambient air. This is effective for analyzing components in ambient air, such as N2 and O2, as well as for measuring tracelevel components.&nbsp;Table 2 shows the peak-area repeatability (%RSD) obtained when a 10 ppm standard mixed gas was analyzed automatically and continuously in SIM mode. As an example, an overlay of the CH4 SIM chromatograms is shown in Fig. 3. Because the GI-30 meters a fixed volume of gas into the GC via a sample loop, excellent reproducibility was achieved for all compounds.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>Using the GCMS-QP2050, high-sensitivity analysis of inorganic gases, such as H2, and light hydrocarbons was achieved. Gas sample injection was performed with the GI-30 Auto Gas Injector, enabling automated, continuous analysis and delivering higher reproducibility compared with manual sample injection. The compact, high-performance GCMS-QP2050, together with the GI-30, enables automation and high-precision gas analysis, and supports greater efficiency in GC-MS-based gas analysis.<h3>4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Trace analysis of epichlorohydrin in drinking water using GC-MS coupled with purge and trap</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_003894_gc_single_quad_isq_7610_environmental_an003894_na_en_70123385ae.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Epichlorohydrin (ECH) is a versatile starting material in the production of drugs and polymers and is also used as an insect fumigant and solvent for organic synthesis reactions. ECH-based polymer pipes are commonly used in the production of drinking water due to their durability and resistance to corrosion. However, ECH is known for its high reactivity and toxicity, which poses significant health risks if it contaminates drinking water. Exposure to ECH can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and has been classified as a probable human carcinogen.Due to these risks, many countries have imposed strict limits on the amount of ECH allowed in drinking water. Recently, Europe set a minimum detection limit (MDL) of 30 parts per trillion (ppt) for ECH in drinking water.2 Whereas typically required detection limits for most compounds mandated for analysis in Europe can be achieved using methods based on static headspace, the stringent MDL required for ECH requires preconcentration, for example using purge and trap (P&amp;T) technology.3,4 This technology involves purging the water sample with an inert gas to release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are then trapped and concentrated for analysis, ensuring reliable detection at very low concentrations. In the United States, the analysis of VOCs in drinking water is mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA requires the use of P&amp;T technology for drinking water analysis to ensure that even trace amounts of harmful compounds like ECH are detected and managed appropriately.&nbsp;The following evaluation describes the use of the ISQ 7610 Single Quadrupole MS system coupled with the Thermo Scientific™ TRACE™ 1610 GC with the Thermo Scientific™ HeSaver-H2 Safer™ split/splitless injector and Teledyne LABS Tekmar Lumin P&amp;T concentrator combined with the AQUATek LVA autosampler for the analysis of ECH in drinking water.<h4>Experimental</h4><h5>GC-MS parameters&nbsp;</h5>A <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/486">TRACE 1610 GC</a> was coupled to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/484">ISQ 7610 MS</a> equipped with the Thermo Scientific™ NeverVent ™ vacuum probe interlock (VPI) and an ExtractaBrite ion source. A <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/1773">Thermo Scientific™ TraceGOLD™ TG-VMS column</a>, 30 m × 0.25 mm, 1.4 µm film (P/N 26080-3320) was used for compound separation. The HeSaver-H2 Safer SSL injector was utilized to reduce the carrier gas consumption by decoupling the gas used for the chromatographic separation from the gas used to pressurize the inlet and maintain split and purge flows. The critical separations were maintained with a run time of under 15 minutes.For this analysis, the ISQ 7610 MS was operated in Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM) mode for increased selectivity, as required for this application. Extended method parameters for the ISQ 7610 MS are shown in Table 2.<h5>Instrument control and data processing&nbsp;</h5>Data was acquired, processed, and reported using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/76">Thermo Scientific™ Chromeleon™ Chromatography Data System (CDS)</a>. This software can control both the GC-MS system and the Tekmar Lumin P&amp;T with the AQUATek LVA. This allows a single software to be utilized for the full workflow, simplifying the instrument operation. This application note is available for download via the Thermo Scientific™ AppsLab Library, which contains all the parameters needed to acquire, process, and report the analytical data for analysis of ECH.5<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>This study demonstrates the capability of the Tekmar Lumin P&amp;T with the AQUATek LVA system connected to the ISQ 7610 Single Quadrupole GC-MS to detect and quantify low-level ECH in drinking water samples, in compliance with EPA requirements.&nbsp;<ul><li>Utilizing the Tekmar Lumin P&amp;T’s ability to purge with nitrogen, along with using the HeSaver-H₂Safer SSL injector, nearly four times less helium was consumed during the analysis without sacrificing system performance.&nbsp;</li><li>The linearity of the calibration curve from 30 ppt to 5,000 ppt passed method requirements.</li><li>The application proved robust during an extended study with 20 samples of a 1,000 ppt ECH standard injected over a series of 124 injections, obtaining 4.4% precision and 118% accuracy of the recovery.</li></ul>

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 48, 2025

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 5th January 2026? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezICPMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you application notes by Agilent Technologies, EST Analytical and Shimadzu!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: Ultrasensitive and Powerful GC/MS/MS for Analyzing Multipesticides in Black Pepper and Dried Tea</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_gcms_ms_black_pepper_5994_8783en_agilent_4b1cc85920.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Pesticides play a vital role in safeguarding crops and are indispensable in most farming settings to secure high yields.1 Regulatory authorities, including the Codex Alimentarius and the European Commission mandate the monitoring and reporting of pesticide residues found in or on food product.2 The analysis of pesticides in food faces several major challenges, such as the variety of pesticide classes, the complexity of different food matrices, the effects of these matrices, and the detection of target analytes at low&nbsp;concentrations.3&nbsp;According to the EU's SANTE/11312/2021 guidelines, black pepper and dried tea are considered among the difficult or unique commodity matrices for multiresidue pesticide analysis.4 The matrix interferences are complex and diverse, including carbohydrates, fats, piperine, terpenoids (for black pepper)5 , and caffeine (in dried tea). "For dried tea, matrix interferences include polyphenols, pigments, polysaccharides, alkaloids, free amino acids, high caffeine levels, and&nbsp;catechins".6&nbsp;In addition to affecting the analyte signals, matrix interferences can cause the system to become contaminated more quickly. This leads to a rapid decline in the sensitivity of the analytical instrument, and necessitates frequent maintenance, significantly reducing laboratory productivity. These are the current challenges faced by laboratories when analyzing pesticides in difficult and complex matrices.&nbsp;To overcome these challenges, Agilent offers a robust solution with its backflush and JetClean self-cleaning ion source technologies integrated into the high-sensitivity 7010B GC/TQ system. Backflush technology prevents high‑boiling contaminants from reaching the detector, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and extending column life.7 This ensures consistent performance and minimizes downtime, thereby enhancing laboratory productivity.&nbsp;With JetClean technology, your lab can significantly increase instrument uptime, as fewer manual cleanings are needed, maximizing productivity. This technology helps maintain data quality by ensuring a clean ion source, which guarantees run-to-run reproducibility. Additionally, JetClean enhances operator convenience through automated cleaning, requiring virtually no user intervention.8 Combined with the ultrasensitivity of the 7010B GC/TQ system, these technologies provide precise and reliable analysis of pesticides in complex matrices such as black pepper and dried tea. Agilent’s comprehensive approach effectively mitigates matrix interferences, preserves instrument sensitivity, and significantly boosts overall efficiency in pesticide analysis.This application note describes a detailed approach for the simultaneous quantification of 284 pesticides in black pepper and dried tea samples. Agilent's solution for complex matrices demonstrates the sensitivity of the 8890 GC/7010B GC/TQ and confirms its robustness when using backflush and JetClean techniques.&nbsp;<h4>Experimental and chemicals</h4><h5>GC/TQ parameters&nbsp;</h5>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8890">8890 GC</a>/<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7010B">7010B GC/TQ systems</a> (Figure 1) were optimized for wide calibration range performance. Equipped with an Agilent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7693A">7693A automatic liquid sampler </a>and a 150-position tray, the GC operated in temperature‑programmed splitless injection mode with a multimode inlet. Detailed instrument parameters can be found in Table 1. Data acquisition was in dynamic MRM (dMRM) mode, enabling analysis of 284 pesticides with 1233 MRM transitions and up to 74 concurrent MRMs (see Figure 2). Retention time was synchronized with the Agilent Pesticides and Environmental Pollutants (P&amp;EP) 4.0 MRM Database, streamlining method&nbsp;setup.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>This application note describes an approach for the analysis of multipesticides in complex and distinctive matrices, including black pepper and dried tea using the Agilent 8890 GC/7010B GC/TQ. The comprehensive solution successfully addresses the challenges encountered when analyzing multipesticides in difficult matrices such as black pepper and dried tea. The high sensitivity of the 7010B GC/TQ enables the application of deep dilution methods. Additionally, the use of backflush technology combined with the Agilent JetClean self-cleaning ion source ensures system stability and robustness, enhancing the operational efficiency of testing laboratories and reducing equipment downtime during&nbsp;maintenance.<h3>2. EST Analytical: Static Headspace Sampling of Volatile Organic Compounds</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Flex_8260_by_Static_Headspace_7ddf2e4157.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><h4>Discussion</h4>Purge and trap sampling involves purging the VOCs out of the matrix and trapping the analytes onto an analytical trap, the trap is then desorbed to the GC/MS. This process has a number of pros and cons. On the positive side, purge and trap is more sensitive. It is also the recommended sampling technique for USEPA Methods. Furthermore, the advent of autosampling systems has simplified sample preparation. However, purge and trap does have some negatives, including active sites, worries about foaming samples, and trap degradation.Static headspace sampling, on the other hand, is much simpler than purge and trap sampling. For this sampling technique, the sample is brought to equilibrium and a portion of the headspace is transferred to the GC/MS for separation and analysis. The simplicity of this technique is a definite pro. Moreover, this sampling process does not develop active sites, has no need for an analytical trap and the linear calibration range can be much higher than that of purge and trap sampling. Conversely, samples need to be manually prepped thus, losing their sample integrity. Additionally, the detection limits are higher for a number of compounds. Finally, some of the analytes do not partition into the headspace well enough and need method optimization.&nbsp;In recent years, GC/MS systems have become much more sensitive. The advent of SIM/Scan acquisition techniques has made low level detection a much simpler proposition. This analysis will focus on the headspace sampling and analysis of over 50 volatile organic compounds.&nbsp;<h4>Experimental</h4>The sampling system used for this analysis was the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/2162">EST Analytical FLEX autosampler</a> fitted with a 2.5ml headspace syringe. An <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7890+GC">Agilent 7890 GC</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=5975">5975 MS</a> were used for separation and analysis. The GC was configured with a Restek Rxi 624 Sil MS 30m x 250mm x 1.4µm column and a SKY 2mm x 6.5 x 78.5 splitless inlet liner. The MS was run in SIM/Scan mode. Refer to Tables 1 and 2 for the analysis and sampling parameters.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Static headspace sampling in conjunction with SIM/Scan acquisition proved to be a good alternative to purge and trap sampling for a number of USEPA Method 8260 compounds. The curve %RSD results showed the linearity of the curve to meet the USEPA Method 8260 requirement of 15% or better. The method detection limits of all the compounds tested also passed method requirements. Lastly, the precision and accuracy of the autosampling and analysis system was excellent, with the average precision at less than 6% RSD and the average %recovery at just over 101%.<h3>3. Shimadzu: Aromatic Component Analysis of Gasoline According to ASTM D5580 Using the Brevis GC- 2050 Gas Chromatograph</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_01024_en_039b304288.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Aromatics, such as toluene and xylene, are sometimes added to gasoline to improve the octane number. Measuring the levels of these aromatics is essential for quality control in gasoline production. It is also important for environmental protection, in particular, for reducing emissions of benzene, a hazardous substance, as well as for sustainable energy use that reduces the environmental impact of gasoline while maintaining its performance.ASTM D55801) is a standard test method that uses gas chromatography to measure aromatics in gasoline. Gasoline aromatics can be separated more effectively by switching between two gas chromatography columns of different polarities and venting non-aromatic components from the system. This Application News describes using the Brevis GC2050 gas chromatograph to determine aromatics in gasoline by applying ASTM D5580.<h4>Equipment Configuration and Analytical Conditions&nbsp;</h4>The system comprises a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Brevis+GC-2050">Brevis GC-2050 gas chromatograph</a>, an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=AOC-30">AOC-30</a> for sample injection, and a VB-30-S heated valve box. Aromatics were determined using two sets of Analysis Conditions that were tailored to measure different components (Table 1). Note that the timing of the flow path switching and other conditions needs to be adjusted according to the columns being used and the operating environment.<h4>Determining Aromatics in Gasoline&nbsp;</h4>A gasoline sample was prepared by adding 2 to 10 wt% aromatics and 10 wt% of an internal standard (2-hexanone) and then analyzed under Analysis Conditions A and Analysis Conditions B. Fig. 2 shows the chromatograms obtained under each set of Analysis Conditions. Despite gasoline containing large amounts of hydrocarbons, oxygenates, and other impurities, these impurities did not appear as peaks in the chromatograms, and only the aromatics added to the gasoline were detected. These results verify the utility of using flow path switching to effectively utilize the characteristics of two different columns.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>A flow path switching valve was installed on a Brevis GC-2050 gas chromatograph to enable the determination of gasoline aromatics (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p/m-xylene, oxylene, and C9+ aromatics) according to ASTM D5580.&nbsp;This system can switch between different columns during analysis to determine specific aromatics from among the many compounds present in gasoline. Analysis was performed under two sets of conditions, each using different flow path switching times. This method met the requirements for linearity and reproducibility described in ASTM D5580. The timing of flow path switching can also be adjusted to allow the targeted determination of oxygenates in gasoline. The ability to perform multiple analyses on a single system means the Brevis GC-2050 offers even greater functionality as a compact gas chromatograph.

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 02, 2026

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 12th January 2026? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezICPMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you application notes by Agilent Technologies, Shimadzu and brochure by Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: Volatile PFAS in Cosmetics Using PAL3 Coupled with Triple Quadrupole GC/MS</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_pfas_cosmetics_pal3_gc_tq_5994_8752en_agilent_52b56afd36.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of synthetic organic chemicals containing carbon chains where most or all the hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine. Due to the strength and stability of the carbon‑fluorine bond, PFAS tend to be very stable and chemically inert, which makes them both very useful in various applications and resistant to degradation. This persistence causes environmental contamination and bioaccumulation in humans and wildlife; as a result, PFAS are often labeled "forever chemicals".1&nbsp;In cosmetics, PFAS are valued for their functional properties, including emulsification, stabilization, and water or sweat resistance. Despite these benefits, concerns have grown over their safety due to direct exposure from repeated use through skin, eyes, and mouth. The OECD's 2024 report underscores the risks associated with PFAS in cosmetic formulations, particularly given their potential for long-term health and environmental impacts.2,3 Regulators around the world are taking decisive steps to ban or restrict PFAS in cosmetics. For example, in the EU, various types of PFAS have been regulated under REACH and POPs regulations that span most industries, including cosmetics.4,5 EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 has listed the five types of PFAS as the substances prohibited.6 A broader EU-wide ban is underway, with France having passed its own ban on PFAS in cosmetics effective 1 January 2026, as part of a larger proposal to ban PFAS in consumer products.7,8 The US has not banned the use of PFAS in cosmetics at the federal level yet. The USFDA has been evaluating the use of PFAS in cosmetics under the authority of the Cosmetic Regulatory Modernization Act (MoCRA), and is expected to release a report on safety and risk by the end of 2025.9 Although the federal government is still on the sidelines, many states in the US have been rapidly enacting or implementing the ban and reporting requirements for PFAS in cosmetics, with effective dates ranging from 2025 to 2032.10-13 Canada has proposed a ban on the use of PFAS in various consumer products, including cosmetics.14 South Korea has added 12 PFAS into a restricted substances list for cosmetic products in 2024.15 The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of New Zealand has officially announced a ban on the use of PFAS in cosmetic products, effective from 31 December 2026.16&nbsp;As regulations surrounding PFAS continue to evolve, developing a sensitive and robust analytical method is crucial to meet stringent guidelines. The objective of this study was to demonstrate a fully automated workflow using PAL3&nbsp;Series&nbsp;2 RTC autosampler coupled with an Agilent 7010D triple quadrupole GC/MS to quantify more than 30&nbsp;volatile PFAS analytes in cosmetics. The automation method performance includes sensitivity, accuracy, and precision studies.<h4>Experimental</h4><h5>Instrumentation&nbsp;</h5>An <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8890+GC">Agilent 8890 GC </a>with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7010D">7010D GC/TQ</a> equipped with HES 2.0 ion source, coupled with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=PAL3">PAL3</a> Series 2 RTC autosampler, was used for this analysis. An MMI inlet and splitless liner (part number 5190-2293) were used and chromatographic separation was performed using an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=J%26W+DB-624">Agilent J&amp;W DB-624</a>, 30 m × 0.25 mm, 1.40 μm column (part number 122-1334UI). The instrument setup is shown in Figure 1. The acquisition method for 34 native PFAS and four ISTDs, including GC condition, TQ parameters were described in a previous application note.17<h4>Sample analysis&nbsp;</h4>Seven cosmetic samples from various brands—including foundations, lipsticks, and mascaras—were analyzed. One liquid foundation was designated as a quality control (QC) sample, while the remaining six were treated as unknowns. According to the OECD report published in 2024, cosmetic products such as shampoo, eye makeup, foundation, facial cleansers, lipsticks, and lip glosses may contain PFAS, which serve functional or performance-enhancing roles.2,19 In this study, several PFAS compounds were detected above the method detection limit (MDL) in the unknown samples, including 10:2 FTOH, MeFHxSA, MeFOSE, EtOSE and 1H,1H‑perfluorooctyl acrylate. The results also demonstrated that the automated workflow is effective for PFAS extraction and quantitation in cosmetic matrices.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>An accurate and robust automated workflow was successfully developed using the PAL3 Series 2 RTC autosampler coupled with the Agilent 7010D GC/TQ system for the analysis of volatile PFAS in cosmetic products. Most PFAS targets achieved an LOQ of 50 µg/kg and MDL below 1.5 µg/kg, with recoveries falling within the acceptable range of 60% to 110%. These results demonstrate excellent extraction efficiency and reliability of the automated workflow. Furthermore, automation significantly reduces human error and enhances productivity, while maintaining high sensitivity in PFAS analysis.<h3>2. Shimadzu: Simplifying Multicomponent Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds with the Polyarc Microreactor for GC</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00945_en_9f7adeedc4.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><h4>User Benefits&nbsp;</h4><ul><li>The Polyarc system converts organic compounds eluting from the column into methane, enabling sensitivity to be normalized to carbon concentrations.&nbsp;</li><li>Even for compounds containing heteroatoms or unsaturated bonds, which tend to show lower sensitivity with FID, the Polyarc reduces response differences.&nbsp;</li><li>Because the response is normalized, fewer calibration curves are required even for multicomponent sample analysis.</li></ul>The Flame Ionization Detector (FID), the most widely used detector for GC, is used for quantitative analysis across a wide range of fields because it can detect almost all organic compounds. However, FID can exhibit sensitivity differences depending on the compound type, such as compounds containing heteroatoms (e.g., oxygen or nitrogen) or those with unsaturated bonds (for details, refer to Application News No.01-01033-EN). As a result, conventional quantitative methods using calibration curves— including external standard methods— typically require a separate calibration curve for each target analyte. This application introduces a case study analyzing a mixed solution of eleven compounds with different functional groups using the Polyarc, a GC microreactor. While compounds exhibit varying sensitivity with FID detection, the Polyarc system reduces sensitivity differences between compounds and facilitates quantitative analysis through simplified calibration curve creation.<h4>Overview of the Polyarc</h4>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?search=Polyarc">Polyarc</a> is a post-column microreactor installed between the column and the FID. The main unit is mounted on the GC’s top panel. A schematic isshown in Fig. 1. Organic compounds introduced into the Polyarc via the column are fully converted to methane in two steps—oxidation followed by reduction (Fig. 2)—and are ultimately detected by FID. Because the FID detects methane, sensitivity is determined by the number of carbons, regardless of the original organic compound’s functional groups. For example, 1 mol of 1- propanol (C3H8O) is detected as 3 mol of methane.<h4>Analytical Conditions&nbsp;</h4>In this application, the sample was prepared by dissolving nheptane, cyclohexane, toluene, o-xylene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), tetrahydrofuran (THF), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), butyl acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PMA), pyridine, and 1,2-dichloroethane in methanol so that each compound was 500 ppm (v/v%). Analytical conditions are shown in Table 1. The instrument used was a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Nexis+GC-2030">Nexis GC-2030</a> equipped with the Polyarc Ultra was used.(Fig. 3) Polyarc can be installed on both the Nexis GC-2030 and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Brevis+GC-2050">Brevis GC-2050</a>. Additionally, in this application, N2 was used as the carrier gas for affordability and safety, enabling cost-effective analysis.<h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>Analyzing multicomponent samples with a Polyarc confirmed that sensitivity differences due to functional groups can be reduced. Compounds containing heteroatoms or unsaturated bonds can be analyzed with relative response comparable to hydrocarbons when a Polyarc is used. Peak area reproducibility was excellent, with %RSD &lt; 1. Additionally, it was confirmed that analyzing at least one compound of known concentration enables quantitation of compounds with unknown concentration—i.e., calibration curve preparation can be omitted.Table 5 summarizes the benefits of using a Polyarc system. The Polyarc simplifies multicomponent quantitative analysis and enables high-sensitivity analysis of compounds that are poorly detected by FID. Note that for certain compounds, adsorption in the inlet or similar effects may prevent achieving a relative response equivalent to that of saturated hydrocarbons.<h3>3. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Targeted MS quantitation - Controlled and accessed from anywhere (Thermo Scientific™ Chromeleon™ 7.4 software)</h3><ul><li>Brochure</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/BR_70660_CDS_Chromeleon_BR_70660_EN_a0bf1ab440.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/76">Thermo Scientific™ Chromeleon™ 7.4 software</a> is presented as a centralized, server-based data system designed to consolidate mass spectrometry laboratories by connecting instruments, users, and data within a single, scalable platform. It enables secure access to data and instruments from anywhere, while centrally managing methods, templates, and reports to streamline daily laboratory operations.The software is fully optimized for targeted MS quantitation workflows, offering native control of Thermo Scientific single and triple quadrupole as well as high-resolution accurate mass (HRAM) MS instruments. Advanced data processing tools support targeted quantitation, screening, intact mass deconvolution, MSⁿ library searching, and customizable reporting, making Chromeleon suitable for biopharma, environmental, and food safety applications.A strong emphasis is placed on compliance and data integrity. Chromeleon 7.4 supports GxP, ISO, and 21 CFR Part 11 requirements through granular user controls, audit trails, electronic signatures, and versioned results. Built-in network failure protection, centralized databases, and secure remote access ensure high availability, resilience, and scalability from small on-premise installations to multi-site or cloud deployments.The brochure also highlights Chromeleon’s role in advanced bioanalysis and environmental workflows, including intact protein characterization, multi-attribute methods (HR-MAM), PFAS analysis, pesticides, dioxins, and PCBs. Integration with complementary Thermo Scientific software further enables end-to-end workflows from compliant data acquisition to targeted processing, reporting, and long-term data management.

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