Sorbent Pens™ - For Next Generation Headspace Analysis - Featured Chromatograms

Importance of the Topic

Sorbent Pens™ coupled with Vacuum Assisted Sorbent Extraction (VASE) represent a transformative approach for automated headspace sampling of volatile and semi-volatile compounds. This method delivers high sensitivity, broad compound coverage, and quantitative performance in diverse matrices, from foods to beverages and environmental water samples.

Study Objectives and Overview

The collected data illustrate the capabilities of Sorbent Pens™ in profiling aroma and off-flavor compounds across cheese, strawberries, chocolate, coffee, nuts, fruit, dairy, and water. A kinetic study evaluates recovery of trace analytes (geosmin, halanisoles, tribromoanisole) in water over extraction times ranging from 1 to 16 hours.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Extractions were conducted under controlled vacuum (1/30 atm), mild agitation (100 rpm), and precise temperature settings (25–30 °C). Typical sample preparations included equilibration periods of 1–48 h, matrix dilutions or homogenizations, and splitless desorption at 260 °C for 5 min. Analysis employed gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with DB-1 or DB-5MS columns and helium as carrier gas.

Použitá instrumentace

• Entech 5800-SPDU Sorbent Pen Desorption Unit
• Vacuum Assisted Sorbent Extraction (VASE)
• Agilent 7890B GC with 5977A MS detector
• DB-1 (5 m/30 m) and DB-5MS UI (30 m) capillary columns
• Helium carrier flow at ~1.5 mL/min

Main Results and Discussion

More than 60 volatile compounds—including ketones, aldehydes, acids, esters, pyrazines, terpenes, and lactones—were reliably identified in food and beverage matrices. Blank runs demonstrated minimal carryover. Extraction kinetics in water showed that 16–20 h VASE extractions achieved 60–80 % recovery for geosmin and halanisoles, reaching near-equilibrium conditions.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Sorbent Pens™ enable solvent-free, automated headspace sampling with excellent reproducibility and low detection limits. The method suits quality control in food, beverage, environmental monitoring, and fragrance industries. Its universal design allows quantitative multi-class compound profiling without extensive method development.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Emerging opportunities include integration with robotic autosamplers, coupling with two-dimensional GC, targeted environmental odor monitoring, and rapid spoilage or contamination screening in industrial QA/QC. Miniaturized sorbent formats and high-throughput workflows will further expand field and at-line testing.

Conclusion

Sorbent Pens™ with VASE and GC-MS offer a robust, quantitative headspace sampling solution across a spectrum of applications. Their reproducibility, sensitivity, and versatility position them as a next-generation tool for volatile analysis.

Reference

1. Entech Instruments Inc. Sorbent Pens™ for Next Generation Headspace Analysis Application Note. 2019.