<p><strong>Hexane is one of the most widely used extraction solvents in the global food system. Derived from petroleum, it plays a central role in efficiently extracting vegetable oils from crops such as soy, sunflower, rapeseed, and corn. The same process produces protein-rich oilseed meals that are widely used in animal feed. From a technological perspective, hexane is effective, inexpensive, and well understood. From a toxicological and regulatory perspective, however, it is increasingly under scrutiny.</strong></p><p>In the European Union, “technical hexane” is authorized as a food extraction solvent under Directive 2009/32/EC. Its last full safety assessment by the EU’s Scientific Committee on Food dates back to 1996. In 2024, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/sp.efsa.2024.EN-9001"><strong>European Food Safety Authority</strong></a> (EFSA) concluded that this assessment is no longer sufficient and formally called for a re-evaluation. The reasons are scientific rather than sensational: technical hexane is not a single pure compound, its impurities are poorly specified, human absorption of n-hexane is well documented, and exposure—particularly for infants and young children—may have been underestimated under current regulatory assumptions.</p><p>At the same time, public attention has intensified. Investigations commissioned by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.greenpeace.fr/scandale-sanitaire-lhexane-un-solvant-toxique-dans-vos-assiettes/"><strong>Greenpeace</strong></a> reported detectable hexane residues in a wide range of everyday foods, including vegetable oils, butter, milk, infant formula, and poultry. While the measured levels generally fall within current legal limits, these<strong> </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theexamination.org/articles/processing-agent-hexane-found-in-everyday-foods-renewing-concerns-about-toxic-chemical"><strong>findings</strong></a><strong> </strong>highlight a critical gap between regulatory compliance and public expectations of food safety and transparency. Processing aids like hexane are not listed on labels, even though trace residues may remain in final products.</p><p>From a scientific standpoint, the debate raises several important questions. How robust are existing toxicological datasets for chronic, low-level exposure? Do current analytical methods sufficiently characterize impurities and residues across complex food matrices? And should efficiency-driven processing choices be reconsidered when safer—though potentially less economical—alternatives exist?</p><p><strong>EFSA’s conclusion is cautious but clear:</strong> there is no immediate acute health concern, but the available evidence is insufficient to confidently assess long-term risks. As new toxicological data emerge and analytical capabilities improve, hexane has become a case study in how legacy food technologies can outpace the science and regulation designed to govern them. The outcome of the ongoing re-evaluation may shape not only future solvent use, but also broader expectations around transparency, precaution, and trust in the food system.</p><h3><strong>Global inconsistencies in safety standards</strong></h3><p>Hexane regulation varies widely across jurisdictions. European limits are among the most conservative, yet they rely heavily on industry-generated data. In other regions, allowable residue levels are significantly higher, and in some cases, hexane use in food and feed is largely unrestricted. This variability complicates global risk assessment and raises questions about harmonization and scientific consistency in food safety governance.</p><h3><strong>Beyond compliance: Rethinking food processing choices</strong></h3><p>The ongoing re-evaluation of hexane illustrates a broader challenge in food science: technologies adopted for efficiency and cost-effectiveness may persist long after their safety assumptions become outdated. The issue is not whether hexane poses an immediate public health crisis—EFSA has explicitly stated that it does not—but whether current scientific evidence is sufficient to justify its continued widespread use without further scrutiny.</p><p>Advances in analytical chemistry now allow more sensitive detection of residues and impurities, while modern toxicology places greater emphasis on long-term, low-dose effects. At the same time, alternative extraction technologies, though less efficient, are becoming more viable as sustainability and safety considerations gain weight.</p><h3><strong>What are the best methods for detection?</strong></h3><p><strong>Detection options</strong></p><ul><li><strong>HS-GC-FID</strong>: robust, sensitive for hydrocarbons, widely used for routine control (often aligned with “official” oil methods such as AOCS workflows referenced in the literature).</li><li><strong>HS-GC-MS</strong>: adds spectral ID confirmation (useful when there are interferences or you want stronger identity evidence).</li></ul><p><strong>Quantification</strong></p><ul><li>Prefer <strong>internal standard</strong> calibration (often a similar volatile hydrocarbon not expected in the sample) and matrix-matched calibration where feasible.</li></ul><h3><strong>Conclusions</strong></h3><p>EFSA concluded that there is a need to re-evaluate the safety of technical hexane used as an extraction solvent in the production of foodstuffs and food ingredients. A key aspect of this re-evaluation concerns the accurate characterization and quantification of hexane residues and related hydrocarbons, where <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products?category=1&amp;manufacturerItems=3"><strong>gas chromatography (GC)</strong></a> plays a central role. Robust GC-based analytical methods are essential to reliably determine residual solvent levels, distinguish between different hexane isomers and impurities, and ensure compliance with regulatory limits.</p><p>Advances in GC methodology, including improved separation, sensitivity, and detection capabilities, can significantly reduce analytical uncertainty and support more precise exposure assessments. High-quality GC data are therefore critical for refining dietary exposure estimates, identifying potential sources of variability, and supporting a science-based risk assessment. Strengthening analytical controls through validated GC methods will be an important component of addressing EFSA’s safety concerns and ensuring continued consumer protection.</p><p><strong>Visit us on&nbsp;</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/72003132/admin/dashboard/"><strong><u>LinkedIn:</u></strong></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong>#hexaneSafety, #GC-FID #GC-MS</p><section><blockquote><h5><strong>Petra Gerhards</strong></h5><p>Petra Gerhards, Dipl-Ing, is Regional Marketing Manager of GC and GC-MS for EMEA at Thermo Fisher Scientific. She has more than 29 years of experience in the fields of GC-MS, SPE and LC-MS. Since joining the regional team she has contributed to workflow solutions combining vials and closures with SPE solutions, GC-MS and LC-MS. She works with KOL's on data for regional specific marketing campaigns, organizes in-house seminars and works on customer specific solutions. Her main expertise is in the field of doping and drugs-of-abuse analysis.</p></blockquote></section>

Hexane in Food: When Processing Chemistry Meets Public Health

<p><strong>In the week of February 16, the following webinars await you in the field of gas / solid phase and especially Raman, FTIR, GC and GC/MS.</strong></p><blockquote><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/webinars"><strong>👉 DETAILS AND REGISTRATION IN THE WEBINARS SECTION</strong></a></h4><p><strong>👉 Search and filter in the largest global database</strong> with over <strong>5 000 GC, LC, MS and spectroscopy webinars</strong>.</p></blockquote><div><div><div><div><div><div><h5><strong>1. Agilent Technologies: Small Size, Big Impact – High-Performance Benchtop GC and GC/MS with the Agilent 8850 GC</strong></h5><ul><li>Tu, 17.2.2026 17:00 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/webinar/5723">Registration</a></li></ul><p>Discover how the Agilent 8850 GC, compatible with single and triple quadrupole MS, reduces bench space, utilities, and run time while delivering high-performance GC and GC/MS analysis.</p><h5><strong>2. Wasson-ECE Instrumentation: Dynamic Blender</strong></h5><ul><li>Tu, 17.2.2026 21:30 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/webinar/5745">Registration</a></li></ul><p>Learn how the Dynamic Blender dilutes standards with carrier gas to generate accurate multi-point calibrations from single gas cylinders.</p><h5><strong>3. Waters Corporation: Ask Me Anything About Managing Computerized System Risks to Data Integrity</strong></h5><ul><li>Th, 19.2.2026 17:00 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/webinar/5809">Registration</a></li></ul><p>Learn practical strategies for managing computerized system risks in regulated laboratories to protect data integrity, ensure compliance, and avoid regulatory findings.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Webinars LabRulezGCMS Week 08/2026

<p><strong>This laboratory experiment introduces undergraduate chemistry students to headspace GC–MS through a forensic toxicology framework. Students analyze common volatile compounds such as ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, and 1,1-difluoroethane while learning key concepts in gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, calibration, and data evaluation.</strong></p><p>Participants prepare calibrators and controls, quantify ethanol, and assess qualitative analytes in a simulated vitreous humor sample using objective acceptance criteria. Implemented over three semesters with a &gt;92% success rate, the experiment is adaptable to different course levels and resources. Headspace GC–MS offers additional advantages, including minimal sample preparation and reduced instrument maintenance.</p><blockquote><h4><strong>The original article</strong></h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5c00118"><strong>Introducing Headspace Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry to Undergraduate Chemistry Students from a Forensic Toxicology Perspective</strong></a></h4><p>Devin C. Baer, and Michele M. Crosby*</p><p>J. Chem. Educ. 2026, 103, 1, 441–448</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5c00118">https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5c00118</a></p><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"><strong>CC-BY 4.0</strong></a></h6></blockquote><p><strong>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.</strong></p><div><p>Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is widely used across chemistry disciplines, from analysis of biodiesel feedstocks to pesticides residues in vegetables and even two-dimensional GC (GC × GC) such as GC × GC time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS) in forensic science applications. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(4−6)</a> The two-dimensional GC of the GC × GC-TOFMS can provide more optimized separation of analytes compared to one-dimensional GC and the time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzer is an alternative to the quadrupole discussed earlier in this section. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(6)</a> In the environmental field, GC-MS can be used to detect pollutants related to microplastics and pesticide residues. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(7,8)</a> GC-MS and GC tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) is useful in food safety and quality assurance because of its ability to detect contaminants and assess ingredient quality. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(9,10)</a> GC-MS, including GC × GC-TOFMS and GC-MS/MS, is used in characterization of coal-derived liquids and petroleum exploration. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(11,12)</a> In forensics, these types of instrumentation are used to identify residues, like fire accelerants, explosive residues, or drugs at a crime scene, and to identify drugs, poisons, or other substances in biological samples. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1,6,13)</a> In summary, a fundamental understanding of GC-MS will lend itself tremendously to any potential career field or discipline that may interest an undergraduate chemistry student.</p><p>In one application of headspace GC-MS, an aliquot of the biological sample is diluted with an internal standard solution and placed in a sealed glass vial. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1,14)</a> The internal standard solution is a saline-based solution that optimizes the evaporation (sometimes called “salting out”) of the volatile compounds into the headspace portion of the vial, and it contains a compound that is similar in chemical structure to the analyte(s) of interest, The glass vial is heated to separate the volatile compounds from the biological matrix, and a sample of the headspace vapor containing the volatile compound is taken. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1,14)</a> The concentration of the volatile analyte in the dilute aqueous sample is directly proportional to the concentration of the volatile analyte in the gas phase, or headspace, above the liquid. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(14)</a> Internal standard solution is added to a sample to give an indication of the extraction quality and aids in the concentration determination. The same concentration of the internal standard is added to the calibrators, controls, and case samples in a batch. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a> The ratio of the analyte response to the internal standard response is the most important factor to consider, not the absolute value of the analyte, in determining the concentration (or the qualitative presence/absence) of the analytes. By using this ratio, students can account for differences in analyte responses due to variables like extraction recovery, matrix effects, and injection volume. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1,2)</a></p><h4><strong>Relevance to Forensic Toxicology</strong></h4><p>Currently, very few published experiments exist for undergraduates involving forensic toxicology, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(15)</a> and even fewer involve volatile analysis. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(16)</a> Forensic toxicology laboratories routinely analyze samples for the presence of ethanol, methanol, acetone, and isopropanol. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a> Cases involving driving under the influence (DUI) and homicides are just a few examples targeted by these types of laboratories. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1,17−20)</a> Ethanol, commonly referred to as alcohol, is the main type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages and is considered the most commonly encountered substance in forensic toxicology casework. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a> In the U.S., most states have established a per-se limit for the blood alcohol concentration for drivers of 0.08 g/dL and violating this law could lead to prosecution for driving under the influence. Ethanol is also frequently encountered in post-mortem cases, such as homicides, traffic accidents, and alcohol poisonings. However, it is important to consider when interpreting ethanol concentrations that ethanol can be produced in the body after death by microorganisms breaking down the body. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a> Certain types of specimens collected after death, such as urine and vitreous humor (clear fluid inside the eye), are more resistant to this phenomenon and can be used to help determine antemortem ethanol consumption versus post-mortem production. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a> Isopropanol can be found in rubbing alcohol, so it is recommended that a different kind of antiseptic be used to clean the skin before a blood draw for a DUI. Isopropanol can also be found in various household cleaning products. It is also important in post-mortem forensic toxicology as it may be abused by chronic users or accidentally ingested. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1,19,20)</a> Acetone is important as it is ta product of the metabolism of isopropanol, but it is also produced endogenously. High levels of acetone may be an indication of uncontrolled diabetes, so it is very important in post-mortem casework. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1,20)</a> Methanol, sometimes known as wood alcohol, can be encountered in forensic toxicology casework, as it is found in improperly distilled alcoholic beverages and many household products. Methanol poisoning can be fatal due to the formation of the metabolite formaldehyde. Furthermore, methanol can be an artifact seen in embalmed specimens. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a></p><p>While forensic toxicology laboratories use headspace gas chromatography–flame ionization (GC-FID) detection more commonly for the quantitation of volatile compounds, headspace GC-MS is a gold standard for identifying and confirming other types of volatile compounds such as 1,1-difluoroethane (DFE). DFE is commonly found in keyboard cleaners and has the potential for abuse, which is why forensic toxicology laboratories need the ability to detect it. DFE has been detected in driving under the influence cases as it has become anabused inhalant, due to the cheap cost and ease of access. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(17,18)</a></p><p>The University of Tampa possesses a GC-MS equipped with a headspace autosampler; therefore, GC-MS was used rather than GC-FID for this experiment. Furthermore, GC-MS was strategically chosen to give students more practice with complicated data analysis provided by GC-MS in SIM mode. It is important to note that methanol was not chosen as a target for this experiment because of the difficulty in finding enough unique ions without interference from common environmental molecules.</p><h4><strong>Materials and Reagents</strong></h4><p>The following were purchased from Fisher (Hampton, NH): ethanol, acetone, and isopropanol. Endust for Electronics (Buffalo, NY) multi-purpose duster was used for the DFE standard. 20 mL headspace vials and caps were purchased from PerkinElmer (Waltham, MA). A DB-624 column (20 m × 0.18 mm × 1.00 μm) was purchased from Agilent (Santa Clara, CA). The instrument used in this experiment was an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=6890N"><strong>Agilent 6890N gas chromatograph</strong></a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=5973N"><strong>5973N mass spectrometer</strong></a> (operated in SIM mode) with a Gerstel MPS2 multipurpose autosampler (see <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5c00118#tbl1">Table 1</a> for additional instrument parameters). Helium was used as a carrier gas. A 2.5 mL Hamilton CTC and LEAP technologies GC PAL autosampler syringe: gastight was used.</p><h4><strong>Results and Discussion</strong></h4><p>There was a total of 43 students enrolled in the course over 3 semesters with an average grade on the assignment of 83 ± 11%. As part of this assignment, students quantitated ethanol concentrations and qualitatively identified acetone or isopropanol. One student did not complete the assignment as instructed and did not provide appropriate results for the analytes; therefore, the following data were compiled for 42 students unless otherwise stated. Of note, DFE is a recent addition to the experiment and was not used in previous semesters. It has been evaluated and determined to be a suitable qualitative compound for this experiment as an alternative or in addition to acetone and isopropanol. Additional information is provided below as part of the potential modifications to the experiment. It should also be highlighted that this course and thus this experiment are designed to prepare students for a career in forensic science based on feedback and advice from forensic science agencies. It mimics laboratory training and proficiency testing that forensic science analysts must undergo before being approved to conduct casework analyses. Therefore, the success of the experiment was determined by the student’s ability to report accurate results rather than student survey data or feedback.</p><p>The representative retention times are shown in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5c00118#fig1">Figure 1</a> for ethanol, acetone, isopropanol, and <i>tert</i>-butanol (internal standard). DFE was also included in the figure for easy reference. The peak that appears before DFE in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5c00118#fig1">Figure 1</a> represents a small volatile compound that appeared in all samples, including airblanks. If DFE is not used in the experiment, then it is recommended to include a solvent delay of 1 min. The average retention time of ethanol over 3 semesters (<i>n</i> = 42) was 1.60 ± 0.01 min. Acetone’s average retention time was 1.89 ± &lt;0.01 min. Isopropanol’s average retention time was 2.00 ± 0.01 min. The average retention time of <i>tert</i>-butanol was 2.37 ± 0.02 min. See <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5c00118#tbl2">Table 2</a> gives a summary of the average retention times for each volatile compound. Of note, the variation of retention time primarily occurred between semesters due to routine annual maintenance. All 42 students’ data passed the calibration acceptance criteria with an average <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> value of the ethanol calibration curve of 0.995 ± 0.004 over 3 semesters (<i>n</i> = 42). <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5c00118#fig2">Figure 2</a> shows the chromatograms produced by the SIM analysis of each volatile compound. This figure is an example of one of the components produced in the report generated by students during data processing, where students use these mass spectral data to evaluate and report data.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/J_Chem_Educ_2026_103_1_441_448_Figure_1_Example_total_ion_chromatogram_of_volatile_compounds_and_retention_times_fa3c745c20.jpeg" alt="J. Chem. Educ. 2026, 103, 1, 441–448: Figure 1. Example total ion chromatogram of volatile compounds and retention times." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_J_Chem_Educ_2026_103_1_441_448_Figure_1_Example_total_ion_chromatogram_of_volatile_compounds_and_retention_times_fa3c745c20.jpeg 225w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="1041"></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/J_Chem_Educ_2026_103_1_441_448_Figure_2_Example_SIM_ions_of_each_volatile_compound_fd665d9c8c.jpeg" alt="J. Chem. Educ. 2026, 103, 1, 441–448: Figure 2. Example SIM ions of each volatile compound." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_J_Chem_Educ_2026_103_1_441_448_Figure_2_Example_SIM_ions_of_each_volatile_compound_fd665d9c8c.jpeg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="613"></p><h4><strong>Conclusion</strong></h4><p>Students met learning outcomes and gained fundamental instrumental knowledge and hands-on experience through this experiment as they explored the concepts of chromatography and mass spectrometry. While students who completed this experiment had previous experience with GC-MS, this experiment introduced a new way of generating data reports. Students had to explain their conclusions based on these data reports as part of their postlab assignment, which provided firsthand practice of data analysis and communication skills. Trends in student results indicated that the experiment is very robust and reproducible, leading to a high success rate for students. This experiment offers a variety of modifications for instructors based on the number of students, student skill level, and resources available.</p></div>

Introducing Headspace Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry to Undergraduate Chemistry Students from a Forensic Toxicology Perspective

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<p><strong>Bulk gas supply in the form of liquid nitrogen dewars and cylinders present laboratories with safety risks stemming from the frequent need to handle and manage gas supplies. Laboratory staff are at risk of injury every time they need to move a gas cylinder and a leak from bulk storage can result in the development of a potentially deadly atmosphere.</strong></p>
<p>Flammable gases such as hydrogen present additional risks of fire or explosion, which need to be addressed through safe gas handling, storage and detection in the laboratory, increasing the cost of their use.</p>
<h3><strong>Attend this webinar to learn about:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>General gas cylinder safety tips</li>
<li>Risks associated with bulk gas supply</li>
<li>The risks of using nitrogen and hydrogen in the laboratory</li>
<li>Benefits of using a gas generator to supply nitrogen and/or   hydrogen</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Presenter: Dr. Ed Connor (Product Manager, PEAK Scientific)</strong></p>
</blockquote>


Unsplash/Julia Lobkova: Gas Safety in Your Laboratory

Gas Safety in Your Laboratory

<p><strong>Using technical controls in laboratory informatics solutions is the best way to achieve both data integrity and regulatory compliance.</strong></p>
<p>Whilst designing electronic workflows, three principles of laboratory automation must be followed:</p>
<h5><strong>1. Data acquisition at the point of origin:</strong></h5>
<p>Always interface instruments to acquire analytical data</p>
<h5><strong>2. Never transcribe data:</strong></h5>
<p>All data must be transferred electronically between systems using validated processes to avoid making transcription errors</p>
<h5><strong>3. Know where data is stored:</strong></h5>
<p>This may involve location and file naming conventions so that data can be retrieved easily for audit or inspection quickly and easily</p>
<p>Data process mapping should be used to identify vulnerabilities in the process and well as process inefficiencies and by using the three automation principles above, the vulnerabilities can be eliminated as well as ensuing data integrity and regulatory compliance is achieved. This results in a more efficient and effective process.</p>
<p>Further examples upon the approaches involving sample preparation and chromatographic analysis will also be discussed.</p>
<h3><strong>Watch this webinar, to learn:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>How to ensure the integrity and compliance of reported data, from sampling to reporting.</li>
<li>How to utilise technical controls in laboratory informatics to ensure integrity and compliance.</li>
<li>The three principles of laboratory automation for designing effective workflows.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Presenter: Bob McDowall (Director, R D McDowall Limited)</strong></p>


Technology Networks: Data Reporting, Integrity and Compliance

Data Reporting, Integrity and Compliance

<h3><strong>Key Learning Points:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Overview of available sample prep solutions for Food testing laboratory industry </li>
<li>Which sample prep technique to select and for what kind of difficult food matrices &amp; applications   </li>
<li>Easy and effective  methods for FAME, Multiresidue pesticide Screening, PAH, PCB and Dioxins</li>
<li>How to increase the lifetime of GC column when working with different food matrices</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Presenter: Rahela Banu (Business Development Manager, Phenomenex India)</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Rahela Banu holds a master’s degree in Micro Biology from Osmania University. She worked as a Microbiologist in Royal life sciences doing analysis of FAME by Gas chromatography from various microbial samples. Later started working with Merck as Patient Support counselor. After successful 3 years stint with them she moved to Phenomenex.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>She started as an Application specialist with Gas Chromatography; Being the sole person to handle GC technique entirely for 9 years, Rahela has gained vast experience in handling customer Applications/Inquiries catering to wide extended market segments.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Rahela has traveled extensively through all parts of India reaching customers of various segments working with GC/HPLC/SPE technique as Industry Specialist; Having visited manufacturing plant of Phenomenex Torrance unit Rahela works very closely with GC developing team making a bridge between advanced technologies and customer applications.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Currently she is working as a Business Development Manager at Phenomenex India and is responsible for Seminars/webinars/training&#39;s/Global coordination/market development in all product lines that goes into this applied market segment PAN India</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Presenter: Dr. Vinay Bathineni (Business Development Manager, Sample Prep, Phenomenex India)</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Dr. Vinay Bathineni holds a Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D. from JNTU University Hyderabad. He is involved in R&amp;D, management, sales, business development, and implementing method development solutions in Clinical, Bioanalytical, and Toxicology industries.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Vinay is a University Gold medalist, and published more than 10 research papers in reputable international journals. He also speaks at diverse conferences.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Vinay started as an application specialist with Phenomenex in 2013 handling the Sample prep techniques. He is now a Business Development Manager at Phenomenex India, overseeing method development for the CRO and BA/BE industries and hosts Seminars/ Webinars/ Training/ Global Coordination for all product lines that meshes into the Clinical, BA-BE, and Toxicology market segments in PAN India.</p>
</blockquote>


Phenomenex: Food Testing: Overview of Sample preparation techniques & GC Solutions

Food Testing: Overview of Sample preparation techniques & GC Solutions

<p><strong>Non-authorized presence of ethylene oxide (ETO) and 2-chloroethanol (2CE) in sesame seeds and other food commodities is a new emerging food safety issue. First notification about the presence of ETO in sesame seeds dates from August 2020, and since then over 500 new notifications were published on the European Rapid Alert Food and Feed Safety (RASFF) portal. To ensure that foods are safe for consumption, food industry and enforcement agencies need reliable and robust methods to detect ETO and 2CE in foods preferably at levels at or below the set maximum residue limit of 0.05 mg/kg.</strong></p>
<p>For the determination of these contaminants a combination of a QuEChERS sample preparation method and a GC-MS/MS analytical method was proposed by the EU Reference Laboratories for Residues of Pesticides. However, several challenges are encountered when it comes to the analysis of ETO and 2CE in various food products. The high volatility of ETO requires the use of a dedicated column to ensure separation from possible interference from acetaldehyde. </p>
<p>Secondly, QuEChERS extracts often contain high amounts of non-volatile material which can accumulate in the inlet liner and column inlet, affecting the accuracy and robustness of the analysis. Integration of the Automated Liner Exchange (ALEX) option in the analysis of ETO and 2CE allowed to exchange the GC liner without stopping the analysis sequence and therefore with no downtime related to inlet maintenance.</p>
<p>Additionally, the analytical column was further protected by the integration of a pre-column with backflushing option. This allowed to remove high boiling compounds which reach the analytical column. Back-flushing was carried out while the analysis was occurring on the analytical column, keeping sample throughput unaffected. </p>
<p>With this dedicated set-up based on an Agilent 8890 GC, an Agilent 7010 triple quadrupole MS and a Gerstel MPS sampler, a robust analytical solution was obtained, ensuring less downtime related to inlet maintenance, column changing and/or MS source cleaning. Limits of detection in the low range of µg/kg with excellent recovery and repeatability were obtained for sesame and curcuma samples. </p>
<h3><strong>What you will learn:</strong></h3>
<p>Attendees will learn about how to deal with the analytical challenges of the determination of ETOX and 2-CE in food commodities and how a novel, robust and automated method can be implemented in their labs</p>
<h3><strong>Who should attend:</strong></h3>
<p>Food safety chemists, researchers and lab managers</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Presenter:  Tatiana Cucu, Ph.D. (Senior Scientist/Project manager, Research Institute for Chromatography (RIC))</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Tatiana received her Ph.D. degree in the field of food safety and food quality in 2011 at University of Gent, Belgium. During her Ph.D. and later during her post-doc she developed analytical methods for the analysis of among other food allergens and food additives. In 2005 she joined the Research Institute for Chromatography (RIC) as senior scientist where she is involved in project related to development and optimisation of GC-MS and GC-MS/MS methods, miniaturisation and automatization of sample preparation methods and development of new applications for food, environmental, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.</p>
</blockquote>


Pixabay/Ulrike Leone: Analysis of ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol in sesame seeds and other food commodities: challenges and solutions

Analysis of ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol in sesame seeds and other food commodities: challenges and solutions

An Agilent 8890 GC with 7010 QQQ MS and a Gerstel MPS sampler ensuring less downtime related to inlet maintenance, column changing and/or MS source cleaning.

Ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol in sesame seeds

<blockquote>
<p><strong>Presenter: Rahela Banu (Business Development Manager, Phenomenex India)</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Rahela Banu holds a master’s degree in Micro Biology from Osmania University. She worked as a Microbiologist in Royal life sciences doing analysis of FAME by Gas chromatography from various microbial samples. Later started working with Merck as Patient Support counselor. After successful 3 years stint with them she moved to Phenomenex. </p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>She started as an Application specialist with Gas Chromatography; Being the sole person to handle GC technique entirely for 9 years, Rahela has gained vast experience in handling customer Applications/Inquiries catering to wide extended market segments. </p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Rahela has traveled extensively through all parts of India reaching customers of various segments working with GC/HPLC/SPE technique as Industry Specialist; Having visited manufacturing plant of Phenomenex Torrance unit Rahela works very closely with GC developing team making a bridge between advanced technologies and customer applications. </p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Currently she is working as a Business Development Manager at Phenomenex India and is responsible for Seminars/webinars/training&#39;s/Global coordination/market development in all product lines that goes into this applied market segment PAN India</p>
</blockquote>


Phenomenex: Insights for Optimizing Gas Chromatography Methods

Insights for Optimizing Gas Chromatography Methods

Phenomenex: How to Achieve FAST GC METHODS without altering the Resolution

How to Achieve FAST GC METHODS without altering the Resolution

<p><strong>There is a general perception that gas chromatography (GC) and the various forms of detection that are used with this technique have developed to the point where it is now a “mature” technology, but GC practitioners know that there are many new challenges to face and that new solutions are required to overcome longstanding issues.</strong></p>
<p>This virtual symposium, organized by the Chromatographic Society (ChromSoc) and LCGC, will focus on areas of GC where the sample complexity, the requirements for highly accurate measurements, the sensitivity requirements imposed by regulators, and the need to push scientific discovery force GC users to look with fresh eyes on this supposedly “mature” technique. The highly respected international speakers will bring a fresh perspective on almost every aspect of GC in the vapour phase and the virtual symposium will maintain the high reputation that this bi-annual meeting has established over many years.</p>
<h3><strong>Key Learning Objectives:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Modern approaches to achieving ultratrace detection limits in GC and GC–MS are revealed</li>
<li>The use of GC and GCxGC with high-resolution MS for complex sample screening will be discussed</li>
<li>Learn about advanced techniques for sample preparation and enrichment for qualitative and quantitative analysis</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>Who Should Attend:</strong></h3>
<p>Anyone working with GC who wants to understand the very latest approaches to achieving ultratrace analyte quantitation, sample preparation, and enrichment for complex matrices and reducing error in quantitative GC analysis.</p>
<h3><strong>Agenda:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><p><strong>12pm BST = 7am EDT Symposium Introduction</strong> (Tony Taylor, Arch Sciences Group, UK)</p>
</li>
<li><p><strong>12:30pm BST = 7:30am EDT High Resolution GC–MS and GC×GC–MS with Advanced Data Processing for Investigative Compositional Analysis</strong> (Hans-Gerd Janssen, Unilever and Wageningen University, The Netherlands)</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>Technology Session 1</strong></h4>
<ul>
<li><p><strong>1:10pm BST = 8:10am EDT Hydrogen Carrier Gas for Fast GC: Choosing the right setup for your GC</strong> (Ed Connor, Product Manager, PEAK Scientific)</p>
</li>
<li><p><strong>1:25pm BST = 8:25am EDT Derivatization and Traceable Quantification—A Match Made in Hell?</strong> (Chris Hopley, LGC’s National Measurement Laboratory, UK)</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>Technology Session 2</strong></h4>
<ul>
<li><p><strong>2:05pm BST = 9:05am EDT Low-Pressure Gas Chromatography (LPGC)–The Fast Way to Your Pesticide Analysis</strong> (Dr. Jana Hepner, Applications Scientist, Restek)</p>
</li>
<li><p><strong>2.20pm BST = 9:20am EDT Meeting the Analytical Challenges of Environmental Monitoring for the Water Framework Directive: Quantifying a Drop (or Two) in the Ocean</strong> (John Quick, ALS Environmental, UK)</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>Technology Session 3</strong></h4>
<ul>
<li><p><strong>3pm BST = 10am EDT VICI Fast Temperature Programmer Methods and Applications</strong> (Dale Ashworth, Product Manager Analytical Systems, VICI)</p>
</li>
<li><p><strong>3:15pm BST = 10:15am EDT Is the E&amp;L Community Ready to Move Away from Conventional Large Volume Liquid–Liquid Extraction and Solvent Evaporation?</strong> (Mike Hodgson, Baxter, UK)</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>Technology Session 4</strong></h4>
<ul>
<li><p><strong>3:55pm BST = 10:55am EDT Raise the Bar of Trace Analysis: Simultaneous high quality target and non-target data are within reach</strong> (Liz Humston-Fulmer, Application Chemist, LECO Corporation)</p>
</li>
<li><p><strong>4:10pm EDT = 11:10am EDT Combining Automated Green and Exhaustive Enrichment Techniques with 1D GC–TOF–MS for Untargeted Aroma Profiling of Food/Beverages and Consumer Products in QA/QC Industrial Laboratories</strong> (Tatiana Cucu, Research Institute of Chromatography)</p>
</li>
<li><p><strong>4:50pm BST = 11:50am EDT Technology Session 5</strong></p>
</li>
<li><p><strong>5:05pm BST = 12:05pm EDT Technology Session 6</strong></p>
</li>
<li><p><strong>5:20pm BST = 12:20pm EDT Panel Discussion</strong></p>
</li>
</ul>


ChromSoc: Advances in Gas Chromatography: A Virtual Symposium

Advances in Gas Chromatography: A Virtual Symposium

<blockquote>
<p><strong>Presenter: Jack Stuff, Ph.D. (GERSTEL’s Analytical Services Manager)</strong></p>
</blockquote>


Gerstel: Advances in Analytical Pyrolysis: Focus on Microplastics and Forensics Analysis

Advances in Analytical Pyrolysis: Focus on Microplastics and Forensics Analysis

<p><strong>As part of the close collaboration between Phenomenex and chromatographers in the Food and Environmental Field, you are invited to our online seminar.</strong></p>
<h3><strong>Agenda:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><p><strong>10:00    Introduction</strong> (Kate Parkinson)</p>
</li>
<li><p><strong>10:05    Sample Preparation and Chromatography Considerations in PFAS LC-MS-MS workflows for Complex Matrices</strong> (Jörg Baute)</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>(20 minutes presentation + 5 minutes questions)</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>10:30    Confident quantification of per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances</strong> (Jianru Stahl-Zeng)</li>
</ul>
<p>(25 minutes Presentation + 5 Minutes Questions)</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>11:00    GC-MS: Improving Speed and Resolution of Dioxin and PCB Analysis of Environmental and Food Samples</strong> (Patrick Borkulo-Sankofa)</li>
</ul>
<p>(25 minutes Presentation + 5 Minutes Questions)</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>11:30    PPCP in water intended for human consumption</strong> (Jianru Stahl-Zeng)</li>
</ul>
<p>(25 minutes Presentation + 5 Minutes Questions)</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>12:00    End</strong></li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Presenter: Patrick Borkulo-Sankofa (Senior Technical Consultant, Food and Environmental Accounts in Benelux, Phenomenex)</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Presenter: Jörg Baute (European Business Development Manager/Bioseparation Specialist, Phenomenex)</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Presenter: Jianru Stahl-Zeng (Senior Technical Marketing Manager , Environmental Applications, SCIEX)</strong></p>
</blockquote>


Advancements in Food and Environmental Applications - analysis of Dioxins and PCBs, PFAS, and PPCPs

<p>In Gas chromatography 90% of the trouble experienced, is happening in the injection system.</p>
<p>We will discuss a series of practical examples.</p>


GC Troubleshooting Basics

In this troubleshooting session we will discuss the purpose and impact of split and splitless injection.