Reduction of helium usage for the analysis of pesticide residues in botanical dietary supplements using GC-MS/MS with the HeSaver-H2 Safer technology

Significance of the Topic

Botanical dietary supplements are widely consumed for their perceived health benefits, yet they may carry trace pesticide residues from agricultural practices. Ensuring consumer safety and regulatory compliance requires sensitive and reliable analytical methods. Gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) is a gold standard for pesticide analysis, but rising helium costs and supply constraints challenge routine laboratory operations. Innovative carrier gas saving strategies can maintain analytical performance while reducing operational costs and environmental impact.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study evaluates the Thermo Scientific HeSaver-H2Safer technology as an upgrade to a standard split/splitless (SSL) GC inlet. It aims to demonstrate that helium consumption can be dramatically reduced during the analysis of pesticide residues in botanical supplements without altering established GC-MS/MS methods or sacrificing chromatographic performance.

Methodology

The analysis compared two GC inlet configurations on identical TRACE 1610 systems: a conventional SSL injector and an SSL modified with HeSaver-H2Safer using argon as pressurizing gas and helium as carrier. Key steps included:

• Preparation of six botanical matrices (Guggel, Mucuna, Kava Kava root, Rehmannia root, Yerba Mate, Cayenne) spiked with a pesticide mix at 5, 10 and 50 µg/kg.
• Five-point calibration from 0 to 20 µg/kg to cover regulatory action limits at 10 µg/kg.
• GC-MS/MS analysis on a TSQ 9610 triple quadrupole, monitoring multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions for target pesticides.
• Evaluation of retention time stability, peak shape, linearity, recovery and precision.

Instrumentation Used

• Thermo Scientific TRACE 1610 gas chromatograph
• Two Thermo Scientific iConnect split/splitless injectors (standard SSL and HeSaver-H2Safer mode)
• Thermo Scientific TSQ 9610 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer
• Thermo Scientific Gas Saver Calculator software

Main Results and Discussion

Retention times remained consistent between inlets (average deviation 0.05 min), with Gaussian peaks and equivalent asymmetry. Calibration curves showed high linearity (R2 > 0.994) and comparable response factor variability (AvCF %RSD typically < 6%). Spike recovery across six matrices ranged from 78 % to 97 %, with precision within 25 % RSD at the low level and 10 % RSD at the high level. Complex matrices such as Kava Kava and Turmeric did not require additional maintenance or method adjustment, demonstrating robust analyte transfer and minimal inlet contamination. HeSaver-H2Safer technology extended helium cylinder life by a factor of 2.5–4, based on monitored consumption of approximately 173 psi per month, translating into substantial cost and resource savings.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Up to fourfold reduction in helium usage without reoptimizing existing methods
• Equivalent chromatographic performance and quantitative reliability
• Reduced risk of column contamination by isolating pressurizing gas to the split line
• Immediate cost savings and extended cylinder lifetime estimated via Gas Saver Calculator
• Seamless retrofit on existing iConnect SSL inlets

Future Trends and Applications

As helium supply pressures continue, laboratories will increasingly adopt smart gas-saving inlets and alternative carrier gases such as hydrogen. Integration of real-time gas consumption monitoring with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) will enhance sustainability. Further development may focus on automated gas switching and optimized injector designs to support a broader range of analytical workflows.

Conclusion

The HeSaver-H2Safer technology provides a straightforward upgrade to reduce helium consumption in GC-MS/MS pesticide analysis for botanical supplements. It maintains analytical integrity, extends cylinder life, lowers operational costs and supports sustainable laboratory practices without the need for method revalidation.

References

1. Thermo Fisher Scientific. Addressing gas conservation challenges when using helium or hydrogen as GC carrier gas, Technical Note 001218.
2. Thermo Fisher Scientific. Unstoppable analysis of pesticide residues in black tea using triple quadrupole GC-MS, Application Note 000560.
3. Thermo Fisher Scientific. Helium Saver Calculator tool, online resource.