Improved GC/MS Analysis of Priority PAHs in Food Using a Highly Selective GC Column

Importance of the Topic

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a diverse class of environmental pollutants that can accumulate in food matrices and pose significant health risks due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic potential. Regulatory bodies in the EU, US EPA and EFSA constantly revise priority lists to include emerging PAH contaminants, driving the need for reliable analytical methods capable of separating and quantifying a broad range of isomeric PAHs in complex food samples.

Objectives and Study Overview

This work evaluates a newly developed Agilent J&W Select PAH gas chromatography column with optimized liquid phase chemistry for enhanced separation of priority PAHs. The study demonstrates method performance for over 54 PAH compounds, including 16 US EPA priority and 16 EU priority PAHs, plus critical interfering isomers, in a rapid 30–45 min GC/MS–SIM analysis of food-related matrices such as salmon oil.

Applied Methodology

The method employs capillary GC coupled to triple quadrupole MS operating in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. A 30 m × 0.25 mm i.d. × 0.15 µm Agilent J&W Select PAH column with a specialized 5% phenyl–95% dimethylsiloxane backbone and proprietary PAH selectors was used. The optimized temperature program starts at 70 °C, ramps at multiple rates up to 350 °C, and holds at high temperature to elute high-boiling dibenzopyrenes. Helium is used as carrier gas at constant 2 mL/min, with splitless injection at 300 °C. Sample concentrations of 0.1–0.3 µg/mL were introduced at 1 µL injection volume.

Instrumentation

• Gas chromatograph: Agilent 450 GC with 30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.15 µm Select PAH column (p/n CP7462)
• Mass spectrometer: Agilent 320 Triple Quadrupole MS in EI–SIM mode
• Carrier gas: Helium, constant flow 2 mL/min
• Injector: 300 °C, splitless for 1 min at 50 mL/min
• Ion source: 275 °C; transfer line: 300 °C

Main Results and Discussion

The Select PAH column achieved baseline separation of critical PAH isomer pairs, including chrysene/triphenylene, benzo(b,k,j)fluoranthene isomers, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, benzo(b)triphenylene, and dibenz(a,h)anthracene. Chromatograms showed reduced co-elution bias and clear resolution in a single 30–45 min run. Low column bleed at 350 °C facilitated reliable detection of high-boiling SCF and EFSA priority dibenzopyrenes. Overall sensitivity and quantification accuracy improved compared with conventional 5% phenyl columns.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Enhanced selectivity and resolution for comprehensive PAH profiling in food matrices
• Short analysis time (< 45 min) for high sample throughput
• Robust thermal stability enabling trace detection of high-boiling PAHs
• Applicability to QA/QC laboratories monitoring regulatory compliance

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances in liquid phase chemistry and column design will continue to expand the range of separable PAHs and reduce analysis bias. Coupling with high-resolution MS or two-dimensional GC may further improve isomer differentiation. Emerging regulations on novel PAHs and bioaccumulative congeners will drive demand for even more comprehensive screening methods in food safety and environmental monitoring.

Conclusion

The Agilent J&W Select PAH column with optimized liquid phase chemistry delivers superior separation and quantification of priority PAHs in food matrices, supporting regulatory compliance and accurate risk assessment. Its combination of speed, selectivity and thermal stability makes it a powerful tool in modern analytical laboratories.

Reference

Kuipers J., Erwine M., Schulz C., Ruthenschroer A. Improved GC/MS Analysis of Priority PAHs in Food Using a Highly Selective GC Column. Agilent Technologies and Eurofins WEJ Contaminants GmbH.