Separation of 54 PAHs on an Agilent J&W Select PAH GC Column

Importance of the topic

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental and food contaminants formed during incomplete combustion. Due to their toxic and carcinogenic properties, regulatory agencies monitor a defined list of PAHs in various matrices. Effective separation of PAH isomers is crucial because many share identical mass fragments and cannot be distinguished by mass spectrometry alone.

Goals and overview of the study

This study demonstrates the capacity of the Agilent J&W Select PAH capillary GC column to resolve 54 targeted PAHs in a single GC/MS run. An optimized oven temperature program is presented to meet both European (EU) and US EPA regulatory requirements and to handle complex sample matrices containing all PAHs of interest.

Methodology and instrumentation

• Instrumentation: Gas chromatograph coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in SIM mode.
• Column: Agilent J&W Select PAH, 30 m × 0.25 mm ID, 0.15 µm film thickness.
• Carrier gas: Helium at 2 mL/min constant flow.
• Injection: 1 µL splitless injection at 300 °C, splitless time 1 min at 50 mL/min.
• Oven program: Start 70 °C (0.7 min), ramp to 180 °C at 85 °C/min, to 230 °C at 3 °C/min (7 min), to 280 °C at 28 °C/min (10 min), then to 350 °C at 14 °C/min (3 min), total runtime under 45 min.
• Sample concentration: 0.1–0.3 µg/mL in suitable solvent.

Main results and discussion

The Select PAH column achieved baseline separation of all 54 PAH analytes, including challenging isomer groups with identical m/z values. Three critical isomer sets—m/z 226/228, m/z 252/254 pairs, and benzofluoranthenes (m/z 252)—were fully resolved through the column’s enhanced selectivity. Minor peak tailing for the earliest eluting compounds can be addressed via further injection port optimization.

Benefits and practical applications

• Comprehensive separation of EU and EPA priority PAHs in a single run.
• Reduced total analysis time (<45 min) improves throughput.
• Reliable quantitation of isomeric compounds supports environmental monitoring, food safety, and industrial QC.
• Compatibility with existing GC/MS workflows simplifies method adoption.

Future trends and potential applications

As analytical demands evolve, coupling the Select PAH column with high-resolution MS or fast-GC techniques can further enhance sensitivity and speed. Automated sample preparation and miniaturized GC systems may broaden field applications. Expanding target lists to include alkylated PAHs or heterocyclic analogs will address emerging regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

The Agilent J&W Select PAH GC column, combined with an optimized GC/MS method, enables the rapid and complete separation of 54 PAHs, including difficult isomer sets. The approach delivers reliable, high-throughput analysis for regulatory and research laboratories.

Reference

• Anon. Report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives; Rome; 2005.
• Bordajandi LR; et al. Optimisation of GC-MS conditions for determination of EU priority PAHs. Journal of Separation Science. 2008;31(11):1769–1778.
• Lerda D. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Factsheet. European Commission JRC; 2009.
• Poster DL; et al. Analysis of PAHs in environmental samples: a critical review of GC methods. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 2006;386:859–871.
• Ziegenhals K; et al. Fast-GC/HRMS quantification of EU priority PAHs. Journal of Separation Science. 2008;31(11):1779–1786.