Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Exploris GC mass spectrometer

Importance of the topic

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) is integral to modern analytical laboratories, but growing sample volumes, complex matrices, and regulatory pressures demand faster throughput, greater confidence in compound identification, and streamlined operation. The Orbitrap Exploris GC mass spectrometer offers high-resolution accurate mass detection, broad dynamic range, and simplified workflows, enabling reliable screening and quantitation across environmental, food safety, clinical toxicology, anti-doping, and industrial applications.

Objectives and overview of the study

This application note presents the design, performance evaluation, and practical impact of the Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Exploris GC system. Key goals include demonstrating system robustness over hundreds of injections, ease of tune and calibration, improvements in mass accuracy and repeatability, and advanced screening and discovery workflows with retrospective data analysis.

Methodology and used instrumentation

The system was evaluated using full-scan high-resolution accurate mass (HRAM) acquisition in both electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) modes. A QuEChERS soil extract spiked with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at 10 pg/µL underwent 500 replicate injections to assess repeatability, mass accuracy, and uptime. Data were processed with Thermo Scientific Chromeleon™ CDS, TraceFinder™, and Compound Discoverer™ software for screening, quantitation, and sample profiling.

Main results and discussion

• Repeatability: 500 injections of spiked soil extract delivered relative standard deviations (RSDs) between 8% and 10% for major PAH and PCB analytes without internal standards.
• Mass accuracy: Stability within ±2 ppm across 500 injections of benzo(g,h,i)perylene (m/z 276.09335) at 10 pg/µL.
• Sensitivity: Part-per-trillion limits in full-scan mode, enabling detection of low-level contaminants in complex matrices.
• Multipoint identification: Full-scan HRAM data combined with spectral matching, isotope pattern analysis, retention indices, and elemental composition reduced false positives and sped data review.
• Uptime and ease of use: Walk-up tune and calibration completed in under five minutes; vacuum-removable EI/CI source and plug-and-play Instant Connect GC modules minimize planned downtime.
• Scope expansion: Retrospective interrogation of previously acquired data allowed consolidation of multiple targeted methods onto a single system and facilitated non-targeted profiling of oregano volatile constituents.

Benefits and practical applications

• Simplified workflows with ready-to-use method templates and intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
• High confidence in results across diverse sample types due to HRAM selectivity and dynamic range.
• Reduced operational complexity enabling users with varied expertise to generate high-quality data.
• Cost savings by consolidating methods, minimizing instrument redundancy, and decreasing downtime.
• Enhanced laboratory profitability through faster sample turnaround and expanded analytical capabilities.

Future trends and possibilities

Advances in informatics, including machine-learning-driven compound identification and automated anomaly detection, will further empower HRAM GC–MS workflows. Integration with cloud-based monitoring and digital laboratory management platforms will optimize maintenance and uptime. Expanding high-resolution spectral libraries and AI-assisted data mining will unlock new applications in metabolomics, exposomics, and environmental forensics. Continued miniaturization of sample preparation and coupling with advanced ionization techniques promise deeper insights and higher throughput.

Conclusion

The Orbitrap Exploris GC mass spectrometer represents a significant evolution in GC–MS technology, delivering robust HRAM performance, operational simplicity, and flexible software tools. This platform meets the needs of high-throughput laboratories by ensuring reliable identification and quantitation in complex matrices, streamlining workflows, and enabling retrospective data analysis. Its modular hardware design and intuitive software ecosystem position laboratories to tackle current challenges and adapt to emerging analytical demands efficiently.