New Software Tool to Easily and Quickly Generate Automated Sample Preparation Workflow

Significance of the Topic

Automated sample preparation represents a critical advancement for gas chromatography and GC-MS analyses by minimizing manual interventions reducing processing errors and accelerating laboratory throughput while ensuring consistent data quality

Purpose and Overview of the Study

This work introduces a novel software tool designed to seamlessly control the Thermo Scientific TriPlus RSH autosampler enabling fully unattended workflows for fatty acid methyl ester profiling melamine screening and two-step trimethylsilyl derivatization prior to GC and GC-MS analysis

Methodology and Instrumentation

The Sampling Workflow Editor software allows drag and drop assembly of workflows incorporating dilution standard addition mixing heating cooling headspace and solid phase microextraction steps
Key features include automated tool change for multiple syringes cooled sample drawer and precompiled PrepCycles integrated in Chromeleon and TraceFinder

• TriPlus RSH autosampler with ATC vortex mixer cooler drawer and dual incubators
• Thermo Scientific TRACE 1300 GC coupled to TSQ 8000 Triple Quadrupole MS
• Thermo Scientific Q Exactive GC Orbitrap GC-MS/MS for high resolution accurate mass analyses

Key Results and Discussion

Automated FAMEs derivatization achieved complete GC separation within 11 minutes with fatty acid profiles matching expected compositions across various oils and RSDs below 6 percent compared to about 15 percent for manual procedures
Melamine and related byproducts in dairy extracts were derivatized online and quantified with high sensitivity and repeatability at low part per billion levels
The two-step MOX silylation protocol executed by the autosampler consistently produced stable derivatives suitable for immediate GC-MS analysis preventing degradation and ensuring robust reproducibility

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Unattended operation enabling 24-7 productivity and reduced labor costs
• Enhanced method reproducibility and lower RSD values across replicates
• Lower solvent and reagent consumption minimizing waste and exposure
• Rapid method development via customizable PrepCycles and user friendly interface
• Broad applicability in food quality control metabolomics environmental and industrial analytics

Conclusion

The combination of the TriPlus RSH autosampler with the new software tool provides a versatile automated sample preparation platform that significantly improves speed reproducibility and safety for complex GC and GC-MS workflows while lowering cost per sample and maximizing throughput

Future Trends and Potential Applications

• Integration of artificial intelligence for intelligent workflow optimization and predictive maintenance
• Expansion to ultra trace environmental and clinical bioanalysis with enhanced sample cleanup modules
• Implementation of greener solvents microvolume techniques and on line coupling with multidimensional separations
• Seamless data exchange with laboratory information management systems and cloud based analytics

References

• PN-10388-GC-Benefits-Sample-Derivatization-ISCC-2014
• PO-10628-gc-tms-metabolite-orbigc-hram-metabolomics-library-asms2018-po10628-en