Thermo Scientific Dioxin Analyzer

Significance of the topic

The quantification of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs in food and feed is critical to protect public health and comply with stringent EU regulations. Reliable analytical methods enable regulatory laboratories to enforce maximum and action levels at ultra-trace concentrations, ensuring food safety and supporting risk-based controls.

Objectives and study overview

This study presents an integrated sample-to-result workflow—the Thermo Scientific Dioxin Analyzer—designed to simplify routine GC-MS/MS confirmation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, furans and dl-PCBs. It aims to demonstrate compliance with EU Regulation 664/2017, accelerate laboratory implementation and deliver robust, high-throughput performance.

Methodology

The workflow combines automated micro-sampling and extraction, rapid chromatographic separation and sensitive SRM detection:

• Accelerated solvent extraction or manual cleanup followed by micro-sampling of concentrated extracts.
• TraceGOLD TG-Dioxin capillary GC column for baseline separation of critical congeners in under 45 minutes.
• TSQ 9000 triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS with Advanced Electron Ionization source, using pre-optimized SRM transitions.
• Automated data processing in Chromeleon CDS with eWorkflow templates for isotope dilution quantitation and TEQ calculation.

Used instrumentation

• TRACE 1310 Gas Chromatograph with PTV/SSL injectors
• TSQ 9000 GC-MS/MS system with AEI source
• TG-Dioxin capillary GC column
• TriPlus RSH autosampler for micro-sampling
• Dionex ASE 350 accelerated solvent extractor (optional)
• Rocket Evaporator System for rapid sample concentration (optional)

Main results and discussion

The Dioxin Analyzer met all EU performance criteria at the lowest LOQ levels:

• LOQ confirmation at 2.5–10 fg on-column with <30 % deviation across sequences.
• Ion ratio stability and RF repeatability maintained over >160 injections spanning two weeks without maintenance.
• Chromatographic resolution achieved <25 % peak-to-peak separation for challenging isomeric pairs.
• Excellent agreement (±30 %) with EURL reference values across diverse matrices and low sample intakes (2–33 g).

Benefits and practical applications

This integrated solution delivers immediate compliance, reduced training requirements and high sample throughput:

• Out-of-box implementation with step-by-step deployment guide and QC standards.
• Automated sequence setup, real-time compliance flags and built-in reporting templates in Chromeleon CDS.
• Lower sample weights and solvent usage, reducing per-sample cost and maintenance.
• Robust performance across fats, oils, feeds and eggs, enabling continuous multi-sample sequences without downtime.

Future trends and possibilities

Emerging developments in dioxin and POP analysis include high-resolution Orbitrap and magnetic sector HRMS platforms for broader screening, advanced AI-driven data validation and miniaturized extraction technologies. Integration of real-time monitoring and cloud-based compliance reporting will further streamline laboratory workflows.

Conclusion

The Thermo Scientific Dioxin Analyzer provides a fully integrated GC-MS/MS workflow that meets stringent EU confirmatory criteria, accelerates laboratory adoption and ensures robust, high-throughput quantification of dioxins, furans and dl-PCBs. Its combination of automated sampling, precise separation and compliance-ready data processing addresses the key challenges of routine dioxin analysis.