<p><strong>Scientific conferences are defined not only by the quality of the research presented but also by the expertise and vision of their invited speakers. RAFA 2026 brings together internationally recognized scientists from academia, industry, and regulatory organizations to address some of today's most pressing challenges in food analysis and food safety. Their lectures will explore cutting-edge analytical techniques, emerging contaminants, food authenticity, artificial intelligence, high-resolution mass spectrometry, allergen risk assessment, PFAS, microplastics, mycotoxins, and many other topics shaping the future of food analysis. This overview introduces the distinguished invited speakers and the scientific highlights they will present at RAFA 2026.</strong></p><h3><strong>Registration</strong></h3><blockquote><p class="cke-user_style-important"><strong>👉</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://rafa.easyevent.eu/tickets/"><strong>Register to attend RAFA 2026!</strong></a></p></blockquote><h4><strong>Registration Fees</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Regular registration (Until 30 September, 2026):</strong> € 855</li><li><strong>Late registration (From 1 October, 2026):</strong> € 955</li><li><strong>Student rate* (From 1 July, 2026):</strong> € 605</li></ul><p><i>* The proof of student status (e.g. copy of a student identify card) is requested as an attachment of the registration form.</i></p><h5><strong>The regular registration fee will include:</strong></h5><ul><li>Attendance at all scientific sessions, workshops, seminars, vendor seminars and other satellite events</li><li>Access to the poster and exhibition area</li><li>Conference kit (name badge, conference bag, conference documents, certificate of participation, certificate of presentation on request)</li><li>Final programme</li><li>E-Book of Abstracts</li><li>Coffee breaks</li><li>Buffet luncheons</li><li>Welcome drink</li></ul><p>In the registration form you can r<strong>egister free of charge for the welcome drink</strong> and you can also order <strong>ticket(s) for the conference dinner (€ 85).</strong></p><p><i>Please note that your registration is firm when your payment has been received.</i></p><h3><strong>Abstract submission</strong></h3><blockquote><p class="cke-user_style-important"><strong>👉</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://rafa.easyevent.eu/tickets/"><strong>Submit your ABSTRACT HERE!</strong></a></p><p>In order to submit an abstract, you must <strong>first register to attend RAFA 2026</strong>. <strong>After registration</strong> you will receive an <strong>access to the Member section </strong>where you can <strong>submit your abstract(s).</strong></p></blockquote><p>&nbsp;After successful submission of your abstract you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt of submitted abstract via e-mail. If it will not be delivered within a few minutes after submission of your abstract please check at first your spam box-mail and then contact us at <strong>RAFA2026@vscht.cz</strong>.</p><h4><strong>Important notice:</strong></h4><blockquote><p><strong>1 registered participant can submit no more than 2 abstracts.</strong></p></blockquote><p>To apply for a young scientist’s oral presentation, as an indication please respect the rule that you should be born in 1991 or later.</p><p>The <strong>text of the abstract </strong>should be<strong> limited to 3000 characters including spaces</strong>. Tables and pictures are not allowed.</p><h3><strong>Program</strong></h3><h4><strong>Invited Speakers</strong></h4><h5><strong>It takes a small step to fake food but a giant leap to authenticate</strong></h5><ul><li>Nicolai Zederkopff Ballin from Danish Veterinary, Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency, Glostrup, Denmark.</li></ul><p>It takes a small step to fake food but a giant leap to authenticate”: Exploring unresolved issues in food authentication. Food authentication includes not just analytical chemistry, but also nomenclature, validation procedures and reporting of results. These aspects have attracted increasing focus, but setting limits in food authentication has been largely absent. It is therefore time to discuss how to set maximum tolerable levels to enable consistent and comparable results in food authentication.</p><h5><strong>Unravelling the mysteries of modified mycotoxins</strong></h5><ul><li>Franz Berthiller from BOKU University, Vienna, Austria</li></ul><p>Modified mycotoxins are altered forms of mycotoxins, mainly formed by living plants on the field. They are not regulated, yet may contribute to toxicity. The presentations focuses on metabolites of fumonisin B1 and ochratoxin A, formed by maize plants.</p><h5><strong>From bitter to better: Fixing off-flavors in plant proteins</strong></h5><ul><li>Corinna Dawid from Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany</li></ul><p>Uncovering the chemistry behind flavor: the presentation explores how Sensomics and NMR interaction studies reveal the complex interplay between aroma compounds, taste perception, and the polymer matrix in wine.</p><h5><strong>Imaging food: the power and the limits of seeing molecules in food</strong></h5><ul><li>Laura Righetti from Wageningen University &amp; Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands</li></ul><p>Imaging techniques enable ‘seeing’ molecules in food and elucidating mechanisms of accumulation and transformation, e.g. during processing. However, their application to food and contaminants remains limited. This talk discusses both instrumental constraints and future opportunities.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/RAFA_Laura_Righetti_e7bdda9942.jpg" alt="RAFA: Laura Righetti" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_RAFA_Laura_Righetti_e7bdda9942.jpg 157w," sizes="100vw" width="900" height="895"></p><h5><strong>Analysis of critical vitamins: novel structures and novel sources</strong></h5><ul><li>Michael Rychlik Lab from Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany</li></ul><p>Growing population and dietary shifts lead to inadequate intake of folate, B6, and B12. The presentation introduces novel analytical methods (stable isotope dilution assays), identifies new sources, and assesses risks of certain dietary patterns.</p><h5><strong>Sample-to-solution approaches for natural toxin analysis at the point of need</strong></h5><ul><li>Gert Salentijn from Wageningen University &amp; Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands</li></ul><p>Taking analysis out of the lab is not trivial. Going beyond merely translating procedures from the lab to an out-of-lab setting, it requires a fundamentally different perspective on how we develop and deploy the tools to provide information at the point-of-need. In this, both the envisioned test, as well as the envisioned user are critical, and all the steps, from sample to solution, need to be considered.</p><h5><strong>EFSA’s rapid risk assessment of cereulide in infants</strong></h5><ul><li>Hans Steinkellner from European Food Safety Authority, Parma, Italy</li></ul><p>The EU has established procedures for rapid risk assessment in urgent situations. EFSA’s assessment of cereulide in infants demonstrated its ability to provide robust scientific support within a short timeframe during a crisis.</p><h5><strong>Comprehensive strategies to unmask masked mycotoxins: from food matrix to gut microbiota</strong></h5><ul><li>Milena Stranska from University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia</li></ul><p>The lecture will address non-extractable modified mycotoxins and their biological relevance. Bioaccessibility will be assessed using in vitro digestion models with diverse fecal microbiota (toddlers, children, adults) and bioavailability using Caco-2-based intestinal models. High-resolution mass spectrometry will reveal biotransformation pathways and cellular metabolism of free and modified mycotoxins.</p><h5><strong>Food allergen risk assessment: Past, present, future</strong></h5><ul><li>Ben Remington from Remington Consulting Group B.V., Utrecht, the Netherlands &amp; University of Nebraska, USA</li></ul><p>Food allergy and allergen management are global public health issues, and consumer protection depends on transparent and trustworthy labelling. While 30 years of scientific advances show that low level exposures, or reference doses, are unlikely to trigger reactions in most allergic individuals, harmonized and globally aligned regulations are still needed to promote consistent allergen risk assessment and labelling decisions. This presentation will discuss the landscape of allergen risk assessment, global policy developments, current research and future needs in the area.</p><h5><strong>Unmasking hidden adulteration in honey: Strategies for detecting and characterizing honeys produced from sugar-fed colonies</strong></h5><ul><li>Oscar Nuñez Burcio from University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain</li></ul><p>From hive to jar, not all honey tells the same story. This presentation addresses hidden adulteration associated with sugar-fed bee colonies, highlighting implications for authenticity, production practices, and the need for a more precise characterization of honey to ensure consumer trust.</p><h5><strong>Analytical and toxicological methods for safety of food contact materials</strong></h5><ul><li>Erich Leitner from Graz University of Technology, Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Graz, Austria</li></ul><p>Food packaging plays a critical role in protecting and preserving food throughout the supply chain. All packaging materials intended to come into contact with food must comply with strict EU safety rules. Due to increased complexity of packaging solutions, lowering legal limits and increasing numbers of target compounds, we also have to adapt the strategies used to verify and guarantee the safety of these materials.</p><h5><strong>Data-driven strategies to reduce complexity in non-target HRMS analysis of food samples</strong></h5><ul><li>Anneli Kruve from Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden</li></ul><p>LC/HRMS based non-target screening can detect hundreds to thousands of chemical features in complex food and environmental samples. Investigating all of these in detail is practically impossible, so which ones to focus on? Novel computational tools developed in computational mass spectrometry allow predicting the toxicity and concentration of the detected chemical features even if these have not yet been fully structurally elucidated. Combining these predictions enables us to focus on the chemical features possessing high risk.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/RAFA_Anneli_Kruve_5119012e5d.jpg" alt="RAFA: Anneli Kruve" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_RAFA_Anneli_Kruve_5119012e5d.jpg 155w," sizes="100vw" width="899" height="900"></p><h5><strong>Role of AI in the identification of emerging food systems risks</strong></h5><ul><li>Ákos Bernard Jóźwiak from Syreon Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary</li></ul><p>AI-assisted evidence synthesis – spanning curated scientific evidence, exposome data, and network analysis – is the backbone of next-generation emerging chemical food safety risk identification, enabling earlier signals and more resilient surveillance systems.</p><h5><strong>Challenges of microplastics analysis in the context of food safety</strong></h5><ul><li>Dorte Herzke from Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway</li></ul><p>Food and food packaging are major sources of micro- and nanoplastic exposure. Plastics used in processing, storage, and packaging can release particles through heat, abrasion, and degradation. Small particles below 2 µm may cross gut barriers and carry chemicals, highlighting the need for robust and sensitive measurement methods.</p><h5><strong>Never-ending analytical challenges in PFAS analysis of food</strong></h5><ul><li>Darina Dvořáková from University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia</li></ul><p>Exploring and monitoring PFAS in food requires advanced strategies. Combining targeted, suspect, and non-target HRMS analysis, determination of total fluorine and sum parameters, and novel sensors provides new insights into PFAS occurrence and supports food safety monitoring.</p><h5><strong>An overview of the latest scientific knowledge on process contaminants in food for appropriate risk management measures</strong></h5><ul><li>Thierry Delatour from Nestlé Research, Lausanne, Switzerland.</li></ul><p>Recent scientific findings related to acrylamide and furans formation, occurrence and analytical methods in food provide important insights for risk management.</p>

Invited Speakers at RAFA 2026 Symposium

<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 13th July 2026? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezICPMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you posters by <strong>Agilent Technologies / ASMS,&nbsp;</strong> <strong>MDCW / William &amp; Mary, </strong>and<strong> Thermo Fisher Scientific</strong> <strong>/ ASMS </strong>and technical note by <strong>Shimadzu!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. Agilent Technologies / ASMS: Comprehensive PFAS Analysis in Textiles Using Triple Quadrupole GC/MS and LC/MS Workflows</strong></h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/po_pfas_textiles_gc_tq_lc_tq_wp_414_asms_2026_en_agilent_a1d50ab96c.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><section><div><div><div><div><div><div><p>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in textiles to provide water-, stain-, and oil-repellent functionality. Increasing evidence of environmental and human-health risks has led to heightened global regulatory pressure, including REACH/POPs restrictions, and strengthened requirements from industry frameworks such as ZDHC, OEKO-TEX®, AFIRM, and Bluesign. These initiatives demand highly sensitive, reliable, and standardized analytical workflows capable of quantifying both volatile and non-volatile PFAS in diverse textile matrices. This study demonstrates end-to-end PFAS solutions aligned with EN 17681-1:2025, comprising heat- and ultrasound-assisted (HUA) extraction followed by GC/TQ and LC/TQ determination of volatile and non-volatile PFAS, respectively. The workflow enables robust quantification of a comprehensive PFAS panel in T-shirts, waterproof shorts, and socks.</p><h4><strong>Experimental</strong></h4><h5><strong>Instrumentation&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>A dual-platform analytical approach combining GC/TQ and LC/TQ systems was used to quantify over 100 PFAS across 14 chemical classes (Figure 1). More than 30 volatile PFAS were analyzed using an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8890"><strong>Agilent 8890 GC</strong></a> coupled to a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7010D"><strong>7010D TQ</strong></a> and a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=DB-624"><strong>DB-624 column</strong></a>. Over 70 non-volatile PFAS were determined using an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=6475"><strong>Agilent 6475 LC/TQ</strong></a> paired with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=1290+infinity+III"><strong>1290 Infinity III UHPLC </strong></a>and a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=ZORBAX+RRHD+Eclipse+Plus+C18"><strong>ZORBAX RRHD Eclipse Plus C18</strong></a> column.</p><h4><strong>Conclusions</strong></h4><ul><li>A dual-platform approach deploys Agilent 8890 GC coupled with 7010D TQ and Agilent 1290 Infinity III LC with 6475A TQ system for volatile and non-volatile PFAS in textiles.&nbsp;</li><li>Fast and simplified workflow: Utilizes a streamlined protocol based on EN 17681-1:2025. The method enhances lab productivity by eliminating tedious evaporation and reconstitution steps.&nbsp;</li><li>Regulatory compliance: Effectively addresses increasing textile industry focus on PFAS monitoring and supports compliance with various regulatory standards and limit requirements for PFAS detection in textiles.</li></ul><h3><strong>2. MDCW / William &amp; Mary: The Effect Of Using Low-Bleed Columns In The First Dimension For Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatographic Analyses</strong></h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Webb_MDCW_Poster_2026_1_5657991949.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><section><div><div><div><div><div><div><p>In gas chromatography, the presence of column bleed impacts peak data quality. As siloxanebased stationary phase components fragment, they release bleed artifacts into the mass spectrometer (MS), producing interference and decreasing signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) of analytes. <sup>1</sup> When using comprehensive twodimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC), a secondary column with an orthogonal stationary phase is used in providing improved separation between column bleed and analytes. However, it also introduces more stationary phase that can be degraded to produce more bleed artifacts.</p><p>The goal of this research was to define how replacing the primary column in a GC×GC-MS system impacts the resulting S/N and analyte identification quality, in order to clarify how column bleed impacts analytes that appear to be chromatographically resolved from column artifacts in GC×GC output. This will demonstrate the advantage that low-bleed columns can provide for future analyses.</p><h5><strong>Methods</strong></h5><p>Samples analyzed were the Century Mix2 , containing approximately 100 different analytes within different classes (i.e. Century Mix2) and a 52- component Indoor Air Standard. Both were assessed using a 5% phenyl/95% dimethylsiloxane standard column in the first dimension and a (50%-phenyl)-methylpolysiloxane standard column in the second dimension. Samples were then reanalyzed with a low-bleed column replacement in the first dimension.</p><p>Analysis of the samples was performed using the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/37"><strong>Pegasus BT4D GC×GCTOFMS</strong></a> with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/44"><strong>quad-jet dual-stage cryogenic modulator</strong></a><strong> </strong>(LECO Corporation). <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/41"><strong>ChromaTOF software</strong></a><strong> </strong>(LECO Corporation) was used to analyze the chromatographic data.</p><h4><strong>Conclusions</strong></h4><p>This work demonstrated that samples run with the low-bleed first dimension column showed a reduction in the presence of column bleed components identified and maintained or improved the quantitative signal-to-noise ratios of components compared to the samples run on standard first dimension columns. This showed that that low concentration analytes were more reliably detected in the absence of column bleed, even when contour plots showed physically resolved components. In the future, this can be applied to improve the resolution of complex samples and increase analyte signal.</p><h3><strong>3. Shimadzu: Dimethyl carbonate as a green organic modifier in supercritical fluid extraction of pesticide residue analysis in apple samples</strong></h3><ul><li>Technical note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/c190_e347_869b9e2ade.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>According to the Green Analytical Chemistry (GAC) principles[1], a highly promising strategy to minimize the side effects of analytical methods involves replacing potentially toxic solvents and/or obtained by non-renewable sources with more environmentally friendly alternatives. In this frame, dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is an environmentally friendly, non-corrosive, safe handling, and biodegradable chemical, extensively used in several application fields, such as pharmaceuticals, coatings, and lithium-ion battery electrolytes [2]. Additionally, instead of the historical use of toxic and corrosive phosgene as a carbonate source, simple and direct synthesis routes from carbon dioxide (CO2) have been proposed [3]. Thus, also falling within the “carbon capture and utilization” processes, ensuring the reduction of atmospheric CO2 concentration and its conversion into useful chemical products.&nbsp;</p><p>Firstly introduced in the second edition of the GlaxoSmithKline’s solvent selection guide, DMC has been included among the “few issues” solvents, along with water [4]. Thereafter, it has attracted widespread attention as a valuable chemical and/or solvent, and substantial research efforts have been made in the scientific community. Its potential as a green alternative to conventional solvents in both reversed-phase liquid chromatography [5–7] and supercritical fluid chromatography [8] has been explored. The extraction capabilities of DMC toward different target molecules have been also investigated. In 2022, Alfieri et al. optimized an ultrasoundassisted extraction of two lignans from Linum species [9]. The extraction performances of a panel of green solvents and two natural deep eutectic solvents (in combination with water in a solvent/water ratio of 80:20) were tested versus methanol and chloroform (used for comparison with published studies). The results showed that, in terms of purity and recovery, DMC was the optimal media for the 6-methoxypodophyllotoxin extraction. DMC has been also employed in an in-syringe extraction coupled to solid phase extraction to assess nicotine in environmental water and sportspersons’ urine samples [10]. Extracts enriched in oleanolic acid were obtained by solid-liquid extraction of grape pomace using DMC compared to other tested solvents (ethyl acetate, acetone, n-butanol) [11]. In addition to the highest obtained recovery value, the lowest co-extraction of other matrix components was also achieved.&nbsp;</p><p>Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) represents a reliable alternative to conventional solvent-based extraction methods. Several advantages are provided when CO2 is employed as supercritical fluid due to its non-toxicity, non-flammability, abundancy, renewability (as a by-product of industrial processes, as fermentation or combustion), recyclability, and cost-effectiveness. Supercritical CO2 has a polarity similar to that of n-hexane; thus, the addition of a co-solvent is necessary for the extraction of polar molecules [12, 13].&nbsp;</p><p>This work aims to expand the use of DMC that, to the best of the author’s knowledge, is here firstly proposed as an organic modifier in SFE. The extraction efficiency and selectivity of DMC toward conventional solvents, such as acetonitrile (ACN) and bio-ethanol (EtOH) obtained from edible renewable feedstocks, has been evaluated for multi-residue analysis of pesticides (64 pesticides, representing diverse chemical classes, polarities, and molecular weights) in apple samples. Considering the sustainable and nontoxic nature of CO2 and DMC, the use of DMC in SFE represents a win-win combination. Thus, improving the overall sustainability and automation of the extraction process closely align with the GAC principles. Furthermore, in this research, always following the GAC principles, a low-pressure gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LP-GC-QqQMS) method was employed, allowing a greater sample loadability and a higher optimal linear velocity allowed by the vacuum conditions of the system, effectively reducing the analysis time at about 10 minutes [14, 15].</p><h4><strong>2. Materials and methods</strong></h4><h5><strong>2-3. Instrumentation</strong></h5><h5><strong>Low‑pressure gas chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>The LP-GC-QqQMS analyses were performed using a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=GC-2010"><strong>GC-2010 Plus system</strong></a> (Shimadzu Corporation, Kyoto, Japan) coupled with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=8040"><strong>triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (TQ8040</strong></a>, Shimadzu). Injection was performed using an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=AOC-20i"><strong>AOC-20i autosampler</strong></a><strong> </strong>and<strong> </strong>a split/splitless injector (injection temperature 280 °C) equipped with a focus liner (volume: 810 μL). The injection was performed in splitless mode (3 μL) using the high-pressure injection mode function (290 kPa for 0.5 min).&nbsp;</p><p>To avoid that sub-ambient pressure conditions reach the injector, an uncoated column (0.48 m × 0.1 mm ID) was installed before the separation column, a non-polar Equity-5 [poly(5% diphenyl/95% dimethyl siloxane)] of the following dimension: 5 m × 0.53 mm ID × 0.53 μm df. Both the columns were provided by Merck KGaA. The oven was temperature programmed as follows: 40 °C (2 min) to 320 °C raised at 30 °C min−1. Helium was used as carrier gas with an average constant linear velocity of 100 cm s−1 (into the separation column).&nbsp;</p><p>Electron ionization was performed at 70 eV. The interface and ion source temperatures were 320 and 280 ˚C, respectively. The collision gas was argon at a pressure of 200 kPa. The targeted analyses were carried out in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) acquisition mode (acquisition frequency: 3.3 Hz). To ensure univocal identification, two different MRM transitions (quantifier and qualifier) were monitored for each compound (Table S1). The SCAN analysis was performed with an acquisition frequency of 3.3 Hz and a mass range of 50–600 m/z. The GCMS Solution v.4.45 software (Shimadzu) was used for data collection and processing.</p><h4><strong>4. Conclusions&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Under the optimized extraction conditions, the use of DMC as a co-solvent in SFE demonstrated promising performance in the analysis of pesticide residues in apple samples. The method achieved an average extraction yield of 85% across the 64 analyzed pesticides, spanning a broad range of chemical classes, polarities, and molecular weights. Notably, DMC provided cleaner extracts with significantly lower amounts of co-extracted matrix components compared to conventional solvents like ACN and EtOH. Despite the recovery for certain analytes being below 70%, the results remained within acceptable precision limits according to SANTE guidelines. Overall, DMC not only fulfills the analytical requirements for pesticide residue determination but also offers a greener, more sustainable alternative that supports enhanced instrument maintenance and aligns with the principles of GAC.</p><h3><strong>4. Thermo Fisher Scientific / ASMS: Improved detection capabilities for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) using GC Orbitrap MS</strong></h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/po_004693_lsms_pcdd_fs_exploris_gc_efs_po004693_asms2026_na_en_68e4d9e8b3.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/F) analysis requires ultra-high sensitivity and selectivity due to their toxicity at trace levels. Regulatory compliance requires laboratories to adhere to strict analytical criteria (Figure 1). Through the integration of NVAEI source (NVAEI) with HRAM Thermo Scientific Orbitrap mass spectrometer, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/2419"><strong>Orbitrap Exploris GC S </strong></a>delivers mass resolution and accuracy that far exceed those required while delivering enhanced sensitivity required for pg/g (part per trillion (ppt)) detection within food and feed matrices.</p><h4><strong>Conclusions&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Enhanced sensitivity of the NeverVent AEI ion source coupled to the Orbitrap Exploris GC S delivers accurate quantitation down to 2 fg/μL (10 fg on column) of TCDD while meeting analytical criteria required for Dioxin analysis compliance.&nbsp;</p><p>Response of 2 fg/μL (10 fg on column) of TCDD standard remained stable over a 185-injection sequence of food/feed extract, demonstrating robust performance of the NeverVent AEI at maintaining trace level sensitivity.&nbsp;</p><p>Good agreement in the analysis of food and feed extracts preformed by GC-HRMS magnetic sector demonstrates the Orbitrap Exploris GC S can deliver accurate quantitation at and below regulatory limits.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></section></div></div></div></div></div></div></section>

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 29, 2026

How Separation Science Is Taught vs. How It’s Actually Used

Article

Events

Video

Scientists

Interview

Poster

RAFA provides an overview of contemporary trends in ANALYTICAL & BIOANALYTICAL STRATEGIES IN FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY CONTROL and discusses CHALLENGES / NOVEL APPROACHES IN FOOD AND NATURAL PRODUCTS ANALYSIS.

Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA)

Everything from the world of analytical chemistry in one place. We connect people in solving their problems. At Labrulez you will find all the necessary information easily, quickly and clearly. Stop searching and start finding.

LabRulez

Organomation, founded in 1959, designs and manufactures high-quality nitrogen evaporators and extraction systems. Known for innovation and durability, their lab instruments are used globally for efficient sample preparation with strong customer support.

Organomation

New Food magazine

Labmate

The Analytical Scientist

LECO

Spectroscopy & Separation Science

<p><strong>This e-seminar focuses on the application of nominal and high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry coupled to gas chromatography and thermal inlet systems for the comprehensive quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of petroleum derived matrices, from middle distillates to vacuum residues.</strong></p>
<h3><strong>Highlights include:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Adoption of GCxGC towards high temperature and phase considerations</li>
<li>Determination of boiling point distribution by high temp GCxGC</li>
<li>Classification according to compound class</li>
<li>Derivation of absolute quantitative information</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Presenter: Thomas Groeger (Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Univ of Rostock and Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen)</strong></p>
</blockquote>


Pixabay/SatyaPrem: High Temp GCxGC of Light Crude Oil and High Boilers

High Temp GCxGC of Light Crude Oil and High Boilers

<p><strong>The determination of water content in alcoholic beverages, solvents and various consumer products such as foods, fuels, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum products is one of the most common types of chemical testing.</strong></p>
<p>Many techniques such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography (GC), Karl Fischer Titration, near infra-red spectroscopy, and others have been used for water quantification with good results. [1] However, the limitations of these approaches can include high limits of detection, large sample sizes required for trace analysis, side reactions, the use of expensive consumables, and the production of chemical waste. Previous work by Prof. Daniel Armstrong and co-workers has described the use of ionic liquid GC capillary columns for the trace analysis of the water content in a wide variety of solvents. [2] These columns were capable of providing a rapid and quantitative determination of water contents using very small sample amounts. This webinar further examines the characteristics of ionic liquid capillary columns for the GC analysis of water.</p>
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<p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Leonard M. Sidisky (Milliporesigma)</p>
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<p>Len is the R&amp;D Manager for Gas Separations at MilliporeSigma. He received his B.S. degree in Biology (1980) and an M.S. in Food Science (1997) from The Pennsylvania State University. He has been working at Supelco since 1982 and is responsible for new novel technologies related to GC, sample preparation, air sampling, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and high-performance carbon adsorbents. His analytical background includes expertise in GC, LC and sample preparation such as SPE and SPME. He is very active in the American Oil Chemist’s Society (AOCS) including their Analytical Division. He has served the AOCS’s Northeast Section (President, 2000-2001 and VP 1998-1999), Chromatography Committee Chairperson (2000-2009), Governing Board Technical Steering Committee Chairperson (2010-2017), Vice-President (2017-present), National Secretary (2016-2017), AOCS Fellow 2016, NE-AOCS Section president (2000-2001) as well as VP (1998-1999). Other activities include Hans Kaunitz Award Chairman 2000-2001, Supelco/ Nicholas Pelick AOCS Lipid Award Representative 1994-present, 1992 Ralph H. Potts Memorial Fellowship Award Winner. Len is also a member of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), American Chemical Society (ACS) member; ASTM D01, D02, D03, D16, D19, D22, D26 and E13 Committees. His research interests are in the development of GC products for a wide range of industrial applications, capillary columns for lipid sample analyses, theory and practical application of Capillary GC and SPME product development and applications. He has presented and published numerous papers and given seminars worldwide.</p>
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<p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Mark Janeczko ( Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc)</p>
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<p>Mark Janeczko has over 30 years’ experience in the analytical chemistry instrumentation industry holding leadership roles in applications, sales, business development, and marketing for some of the leading companies in the industry. Currently he is the Energy and Chemicals Marketing Manager for Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc. (Columbia, MD). Mark earned a BA in Chemistry from Canisius College (Buffalo, NY) and joint International MBA from the University of Maryland (College Park, MD) and the University of Antwerp (Antwerp, Belgium).</p>
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<p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Tom Lynch CChem (FRSC, Labamate)</p>
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<p>Tom has 35 years’ of experience in the petroleum industry, specialising in the delivery of forensic and problem solving /method development capabilities for BP Fuels and Lubricants businesses globally. He was also a member of the BP Science Council representing Analytical Science and led a BP wide Analytical Science network. Tom has published over 30 citable papers, 4 book chapters and has given over 60 presentations at conferences. He is a past Vice President of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Analytical Division and a past Chairman of the RSC Separation Science Group. In addition, Tom is a recipient of the Silver Jubilee Medal by the Chromatographic Society and a technical achievement award by the Energy Institute.</p>
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Shimadzu: Supelco’s Watercol™ Ionic Liquid Capillary Columns Coupled with TCD and Shimadzu’s BID for Detection and Quantitative Analysis of Water by Gas Chromatography.

Supelco’s Watercol™ Ionic Liquid Capillary Columns Coupled with TCD and Shimadzu’s BID for Detection and Quantitative Analysis of Water by Gas Chromatography.

Characteristics of ionic liquid capillary columns for the GC analysis of water.

Supelco’s Watercol™ Ionic Liquid Capillary Columns

<p><strong>Routine testing laboratories continue to strive for efficient and reliable sample throughput. Multiresidue pesticides is an example of this, where the generic extraction offered by QuEChERS has streamlined sample preparation. However, for comprehensive pesticide testing, both liquid and gas chromatography are typically required.</strong></p>
<h3><strong>Join us to learn about:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Fit-for-purpose, comprehensive analysis of pesticides in a selection of foodstuffs, by LC- and GC-MS/MS</li>
<li>Key considerations and easy-to-use tools to maximise your method performance</li>
<li>Testing in compliance with the relevant guidelines of SANTE 11813/2017</li>
</ul>
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<p><strong>Presenter: Kari Organtini, Ph.D. (Senior Scientist, Waters Corporation)</strong></p>
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<p>Kari received her Ph.D. from Penn State studying the occurrence of dioxins and furans in fire debris. Since 2015 she has been a Senior Scientist at Waters focusing on food and environmental sample analysis.</p>
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Pixabay/Jerzy Górecki: Maximizing Mass Spectrometry Capabilities in Food Analyses for Multiresidues

Maximizing Mass Spectrometry Capabilities in Food Analyses for Multiresidues

<p><strong>There is increased concern regarding the authenticity of basmati rice throughout the world. For years, traders have been passing off a lesser quality rice as the world&#39;s finest long-grained, aromatic rice, basmati, in key markets like the US, Canada and the EU.</strong></p>
<p>In this on-demand webinar, we describe a proof of principle method to assess the authenticity of basmati rice using the latest advancements in high resolution GC-MS and informatics technologies. Volatile compounds of interest were extracted from heated dry rice via SPME and headspace. Following a generic GC separation, detection was performed using a SYNAPT G2-Si MS run in HDMSE mode. Collection of a HDMSE dataset offers a high level of specificity owing to the orthogonal nature of the ion mobility separation to the GC separation.</p>
<p>Progenesis QI, the latest OMICS informatics package from Waters, is designed to utilize the 4-dimensional data produced during a SYNAPT G2-Si HDMSE acquisition. Initially, alignment of all injections was performed followed by the unique peak co-detection process resulting in the same number of analyte measurements in every sample and no missing values. Data from all isotopes and adducts of a parent compound were then deconvoluted giving a single robust and accurate quantitative measurement for that parent compound. The peak picking and deconvolution algorithms ensure a high quality compound table where adducts and isotopes are grouped with the parent m/z. Compounds of interest from the rice samples were highlighted using various multivariate statistical techniques such as PCA and identified using elucidation tools and relevant database searches within the software platform.</p>
<p>This workflow has general applicability to many areas of discovery OMICS and food research where biomarkers differentiating between two or multiple groups are required.</p>
<h3><strong>What will I learn?</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>An experimental workflow to evaluate the authenticity of foodstuffs</li>
<li>A basic workflow for the discovery of volatile biomarkers between multiple groups of samples</li>
<li>The basics of HDMSE data independent acquisition</li>
<li>How Progenesis QI is used to analyze metabolomics data</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>Who should attend?</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Food research scientists</li>
<li>Metabolomics research scientists</li>
<li>Biomarker research scientists</li>
</ul>
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<p><strong>Presenter: Robert Tonge, Ph.D. (Senior Product Manager, OMICS Informatics, Waters Corporation)</strong></p>
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<p>Dr Robert Tonge is Senior Product Manager for OMICS Informatics at Waters Corporation, Manchester UK. Robert has been at Waters for 4 years in both Product Development and Field Marketing and has approaching 20 years experience in OMICS science. He trained initially in Biochemistry and Toxicology before moving to &#39;Big Pharma&#39; where he worked in Discovery and Translational Research across a wide variety of disease areas from cancer, cardiovascular disease and infection research.</p>
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<p><strong>Presenter: Gareth Cleland, Ph.D. (Principal Scientist, Food &amp; Environmental Business, Waters Corporation)</strong></p>
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<p>Dr Gareth Cleland is a Principal Scientist within the Food and Environment Business Operations at Waters Headquarters, USA. Following his Chemistry studies, he started his professional career working as a Development Chemist for a small coatings company in Oxfordshire, UK. He joined Waters Corporation in 2002 and has held various roles within the organization, both UK and US based, over the last 12 years.</p>
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Pixabay/Trung Hieu Dang: Discovery OMICS and Progenesis QI for Food Authenticity Testing

Discovery OMICS and Progenesis QI for Food Authenticity Testing

<p><strong>This webinar will provide an overview on the topic of analyzing various fat species in foods and methods to determine various classes from total fat to various lipid fractions and the wide variety of analyses available for fat determination. Topics discussed will include the analyses of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMES) in foods and the use of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) for the enhanced separation of highly complex mixtures. Advances in GC column stationary phases and new phases based on ionic liquid technology for the analyses of saturated and polyunsaturated FAMES will be discussed aswell as the use of GC×GC in the field of food lipid analysis. The considerable advantages of the two-dimensional approach (both with and without MS detection), in experiments related to a series of lipid volatiles (fatty acids, sterols, oxidation products, fatty alcohols, etc) will be illustrated.</strong></p>
<h3><strong>Featured in this webinar:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Overview the wide variety of methods available for the analysis of fat in foods.</li>
<li>Examine traditional and new classes of GC Stationary Phases for the evaluation of various FAME species.</li>
<li>Discuss the power of two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) for separating highly complex mixtures and how it can be combined with mass spectrometry for analyzing volatile and semi-volatile analytes</li>
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<p><strong>Presenter: Len Sidisky (R&amp;D Manager, Gas Separations Business Unit, Sigma-Aldrich)</strong></p>
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<p>Len discusses traditional and new stationary phases for FAME analyses and how these can be used to resolve various fatty acid species.</p>
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<p>Len holds a Masters of Food Science from Penn State University and is the author of numerous papers, seminars, and other presentations on capillary gas chromatographic and SPME theory, techniques and applications. He has lectured worldwide, including the United States, Europe, Japan, China and in South America on various chromatographic techniques primarily focusing on capillary GC, SPME and air monitoring devices/ adsorbents.</p>
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<p><strong>Presenter: Dr. Peter Q. Tranchida (Associate Professor, Food Chemistry in the Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Product Sciences, University of Messina)</strong></p>
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<p>Dr. Tranchida discusses the use of GC×GC in the field of food lipid analysis. The considerable advantages of the two-dimensional approach (both with and without MS detection), in experiments related to a series of lipid volatiles (fatty acids, sterols, oxidation products, fatty alcohols, etc) will be illustrated and discussed. </p>
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<p>Dr. Tranchida focuses on the study of complex food samples using advanced chromatography processes, such as fast and very-fast GC systems. An emphasis of his work is the evaluation of ultimate generation stationary phases (i.e., ionic liquids), and the development and application of classical multidimensional and comprehensive chromatography systems. In the field of GC×GC, he has performed applications, method optimization studies, and introduced a new form of flow modulation. At the”9th GC×GC symposium” he was awarded the “John Phillips Award” for outstanding achievements in the field of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. He has co-authored 100 scientific papers, 16 book chapters, and 240 oral/poster presentations.</p>
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Pixabay/engin akyurt: Novel Techniques and New Advances in the Analyses of Fat species in Foods

Novel Techniques and New Advances in the Analyses of Fat species in Foods

<p><strong>Hans-Gerd will describe how GC-VUV provides a new solution to MOSH / MOAH analytical challenges through its unique selectivity.</strong></p>
<p>Highly purified mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) are used in several food and cosmetic products. In these MOH materials low levels of (residual) Mineral oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) can be present. The quantification of these compounds is by no means trivial. All samples contain a vast excess of MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons). The cause of these problems is often the use of non-selective analytical methods. Hans-Gerd will describe how GC-VUV provides a new solution to MOSH / MOAH analytical challenges through its unique selectivity.</p>
<h3><strong>Learning Objectives of Webinar</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Understand the importance of characterizing MOSH and MOAH compounds in food and cosmetic products.</li>
<li>Learn about the analytical challenges common to the separation and quantification of MOSH and MOAH compounds.</li>
<li>Gain insight into how the unique selectivity of GC-VUV enables the accurate identification and quantification of MOSH and MOAH compounds.</li>
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<p><strong>Hans-Gerd Janssen, Science leader, Unilever Research Vlaardingen &amp; professor analytical chemistry, University of Amsterdam, Unilever, University of Amsterdam</strong></p>
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<p>Dr. Janssen is a Professor at the University of Amsterdam and Science Leader at Unilever Research Vlaardingen, the Netherlands. His research focuses on the development of novel methods for obtaining highly detailed compositional information on complex samples. He is well known for his work with comprehensive chromatography set-ups that combine high-resolution liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. He holds a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Eindhoven University of Technology.</p>
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Pixabay/Redhawk Investment Group: A new tool for more reliable and more detailed MOAH analysis: Gas Chromatography with Vacuum Ultraviolet detection (GC-VUV)

A new tool for more reliable and more detailed MOAH analysis: Gas Chromatography with Vacuum Ultraviolet detection (GC-VUV)

<p>To obtain a univocal identification we need three independent pieces of analytical information. Flavor and fragrance components are usually separated by gas chromatography and identified with MS spectral comparison and linear retention indices (LRI). However, diastereomeric or positional isomers can present identical retention behavior and MS spectra, and can cause misidentification. The development of a unique condensed-phase FTIR provides the solution - a simple post-column split combines it with a GC-MS instrument, using the GC to separate the components and MS (TOF) and FTIR spectrometers to give structural elucidation in a single analysis.</p>
<h3><strong>Learning Objectives of Webinar</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>When GC-MS in not enough: unique condensed phase GC-FTIR.</li>
<li>Importance of the linear retention index (LRI) in the identification procedure.</li>
<li>Comprehensive flavor and fragrance MS (TOF) / FTIR library: application for real essential oil and perfume samples.</li>
</ul>
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<p><strong>Presenter: William W. Carson, PE, Chief Technology officer, DANI Instruments INC</strong></p>
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<p>Developer of scientific and biotech separation, analysis and purification systems. He has led highly successful start-up through Fortune 500 groups developing and commercializing chromatography, membrane and hyphenated spectroscopy systems. Bill’s 30+ issued US Patents have generated over $1 Billion in sales. In 1986 he received the Millipore Prize for Innovation. In 2008 he was the winner of the R&amp;D 100 Award for the development of the DiscovIR LC a direct deposition, desolvation system which hyphenated HPLC to FTIR.</p>
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<p><strong>Presenter: Margita Utczás, PhD, Product manager Libraries, Chromaleont srl</strong></p>
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<p>Margita Utczás graduated in 2007 in Chemical engineering, then in 2009 in Biomedical engineering and in 2013 she received a PhD in Chemical Sciences at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. She was a post doctoral fellow at the University of Messina and later worked at Chromaleont as a GC-MS specialist. She has just become the responsible of the analytical department of the Center of Sports Nutrition Science at the University of Physical Education of Budapest and currently she is an external consultant of her former workplace, Chromaleont. Her main research interests include: supercritical extraction and enzymatic resolution techniques, gas chromatographic techniques coupled to mass spectrometry and FTIR and their applications to the study of bioactive and flavor and fragrance compounds.</p>
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Pixabay/djedj: Univocal Identification of Flavor and Fragrance Compounds Using GC-MS (TOF) / Condensed Phase FTIR with an Extensive Library