🎤Alex BrodyIn this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Alex Brody, an organic chemist at Aqua America, to discuss the rigorous analytical methods required for regulated drinking water testing.Alex walks us through the multi-step PFAS detection process using EPA Method 537.1, including extraction, nitrogen blowdown concentration, and LC-MS analysis. He explains why sample preparation and quality control are critical for achieving trace-level detection—and why these methods can't be rushed or simplified, even with new technologies available.We also explore taste and odor investigations, disinfection byproducts, and volatile organic compounds, plus the surprising reality of why regulated labs move slowly when adopting new instrumentation. You'll learn about the quality control checkpoints, peer review processes, and the misconceptions surrounding analytical turnaround times in compliance labs.<h5>Topics Covered:</h5><ul><li>Role of organic chemistry in regulated drinking water labs</li><li>EPA compliance requirements and regulatory bodies (EPA, PA-DEP)</li><li>PFAS detection using Method 537.1 and LC-MS</li><li>The critical importance of nitrogen blowdown sample concentration</li><li>Taste and odor analysis: MIB, Geosmin, and unknown compound identification</li><li>Why regulated methods evolve slowly (validation timelines, approval processes)</li><li>Quality control procedures: calibration checks, matrix spikes, surrogate standards, internal standards</li><li>Automated sample preparation and lab efficiency</li><li>Future PFAS regulations and Method 533 expansion</li></ul><h5>Ideal For:</h5><ul><li>Analytical chemists and environmental lab professionals</li><li>Water utilities and compliance officers</li><li>Chromatography practitioners interested in regulated workflows</li><li>Anyone curious about how drinking water safety is ensured</li></ul><h2>Video Transcription</h2><h3>Ensuring Safe Drinking Water Through Advanced Analytical Chemistry</h3><h4>Insights from a Regulated Water Testing Laboratory</h4>Analytical laboratories responsible for regulated drinking water testing operate under strict compliance frameworks to ensure the delivery of safe and reliable water supplies. In this interview, Alex, an organic chemist at Aqua America, outlines the scope of analytical work conducted in a modern water quality laboratory. The team primarily focuses on the determination of taste- and odor-causing compounds, disinfection byproducts, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These analyses rely heavily on GC-MS and LC-MS instrumentation, supported by rigorous maintenance programs to ensure continuous operational performance and data reliability.<h4>Regulatory Compliance and Quality Control in Drinking Water Analysis</h4>Operating as a regulated drinking water laboratory requires adherence to stringent requirements established by agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state-level regulatory bodies. Compliance is driven by extensive quality control protocols integrated into every analytical batch. Typical workflows include calibration verification, matrix spike recovery assessments, internal standard monitoring, and surrogate performance checks. Notably, analytical batches are often limited in sample number to accommodate a substantial proportion of quality control samples, reflecting the critical importance of data defensibility in regulatory reporting.One common misconception is the perceived speed at which results can be delivered. In reality, comprehensive sample preparation, including extraction procedures and validation steps, can extend turnaround times to a full working day or longer. Additionally, validated regulatory workflows impose limitations on the rapid adoption of new analytical technologies, as method modifications must undergo formal evaluation and approval before implementation.<h4>Analytical Strategies for Taste and Odor Investigations</h4>Taste and odor events represent a significant operational challenge for water utilities. Standard targeted methods are routinely applied for compounds such as 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin, which are commonly associated with earthy or musty sensory characteristics. When targeted analysis does not reveal the source, laboratories employ broad-scan GC-MS screening combined with spectral library interpretation to identify potential causative compounds. In some cases, sensory evaluation panels complement instrumental analysis, providing preliminary insight into potential treatment-related or environmental influences affecting water quality.<h4>PFAS Monitoring: Methodological Complexity and Trace-Level Sensitivity</h4>PFAS determination represents a rapidly evolving priority in drinking water monitoring. The laboratory currently applies EPA Method 537.1, with efforts underway to expand capabilities through certification for Method 533, thereby broadening analyte coverage. Analytical workflows typically involve solid-phase extraction followed by solvent evaporation using nitrogen-assisted blow-down techniques to achieve the trace-level sensitivity required for regulatory compliance. This concentration step is essential because PFAS compounds remain non-volatile under controlled evaporation conditions, enabling enhanced detection performance upon reconstitution and LC-MS analysis.<h4>Future Directions in Drinking Water Analytics</h4>Looking ahead, the primary technological driver in regulated water analysis is the demand for increasingly lower detection limits and expanded compound coverage. While regulatory frameworks can slow methodological innovation, laboratories continue to pursue efficiency improvements, such as automated sample preparation systems and optimized analytical workflows. These advances support the growing need to process high sample volumes while maintaining the stringent data quality standards required for public health protection.Ultimately, the work performed in regulated drinking water laboratories represents a critical intersection of analytical chemistry, environmental monitoring, and public safety. Continuous methodological refinement, coupled with advances in mass spectrometry and sample preparation technologies, will play a central role in addressing emerging contaminants and ensuring long-term water quality assurance.<blockquote>This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.</blockquote><blockquote><h4>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast</h4>Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!You can find Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast in podcast apps:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL">Spotify</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/tz/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography/id1788429185">Apple podcast</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podscan.fm/podcasts/concentrating-on-chromatography">podscan</a></li></ul>and on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ChromatographyTalk/videos">YouTube channel</a></blockquote>

Regulated Drinking Water Testing: PFAS Detection, Sample Prep & Real Lab Insights

This study investigates the chemical transformations of Eugenia uniflora essential oil under thermal conditions simulating gas chromatography analysis. GC–MS and NMR revealed that sesquiterpenes of the germacrene type, such as furanodiene, undergo sigmatropic rearrangement to form elemene-type compounds, including curzerene.Thermal treatment confirmed the formation of rearrangement products, indicating that bioactive properties historically attributed to curzerene may instead originate from furanodiene. The findings highlight the importance of combining complementary analytical techniques, such as NMR, to avoid misinterpretation of essential oil composition and bioactivity markers.<blockquote><h4>The original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966">Is Curzerene Responsible for the Bioactive Properties of Eugenia uniflora? A Possible Misinterpretation of Bioactive Markers</a></h4>Vinicius Monteiro Schaffka, Raphaela Pereira Guaringue, Larissa Kozan, André Luis Kerek, Cássia Gonçalves Magalhães, Andersson Barison, and Barbara Celânia Fiorin*ACS Omega 2025, 10, 48, 59425–59434<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966">https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966</a><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.<div>Essential oils are a matrix of volatile and complex compounds characterized by strong odors and significant biological activity. In plants, they play a crucial role in defense against bacteria, viruses, and predators. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1)</a> These biological properties support the extensive use of essential oils in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(1,2)</a> Eugenia uniflora L., commonly known as pitangueira, is a native Brazilian tree widely distributed across South America and is well-known for its bioactive essential oil. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(3)</a> Beyond the consumption of its fruits in natura or functional beverages, its leaves are used in infusions, decoctions, and tinctures to treat a variety of diseases, including diarrhea, stomach pain, worm infestations, fever, flu, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(4,5)</a> Studies have shown that the composition of secondary metabolites in E. uniflora can vary depending on factors such as fruit color, ripening stage, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(6)</a> and seasonal influences. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(4,7−10)</a>The essential oil of E. uniflora is predominantly composed of sesquiterpenes, mainly germacrene-type, such as curzerene, germacrene B, germacrone, germacrene D, selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one, and its oxide. Additionally, Elemene-type terpenes are also reported, including furanodiene, β-Elemene, and β-Elemenone. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(11−13)</a>However, those sesquiterpenes are well-documented for their thermal instability. When heat is applied, germacrene-type sesquiterpenes undergo a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement, known as Cope rearrangement, converting into Elemene-type terpenes as presented in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966#fig1">Figure 1</a>. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(14−16)</a> This reaction is widely utilized as a synthetic pathway to produce Elemenes from germacrene precursors. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(17,18)</a><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Figure_1_3_3_Sigmatropic_rearrangement_of_Germacrene_type_into_Elemene_type_250708e73c.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2025, 10, 48, 59425–59434: Figure 1. [3,3]-Sigmatropic rearrangement of Germacrene-type into Elemene-type." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Figure_1_3_3_Sigmatropic_rearrangement_of_Germacrene_type_into_Elemene_type_250708e73c.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="3000" height="984">Gas chromatography (GC) is the main technique for characterizing essential oils, often coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the retention index determination is used in the identification of the compounds through comparison with databases. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(21)</a> During GC analysis, essential oils are subjected to multiple heating stages. Initially, the sample is exposed to a high inlet temperature, typically around 240 °C, to ensure complete volatilization. It then enters the oven, where the temperature follows a programmed ramp starting at 60 °C, increasing at 3 °C/min, and reaching up to 240 °C. Finally, the sample encounters the elevated temperatures of the mass spectrometry (MS) detector’s source (250 °C) and interface (280 °C). Even in isocratic methods, where the oven temperature remains constant throughout the analysis, the inlet, source, and interface temperatures are maintained at high levels. Although the sample passes through these stages briefly, the elevated temperatures can induce Cope rearrangements in the essential oil, leading to possible changes in its composition. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(22,23)</a>The accurate characterization of the chemical composition of essential oils is crucial for any study employing them as a biological or analytical matrix, as it supports the interpretation of bioactivity, chemotaxonomic classification, and quality control of samples with economic value added. There are many studies attributing relevant biological activities, classifying specimens, and identifying phenotypic and genetic variations based on the chemical composition of the essential oil of E. uniflora L., which is usually characterized by GC-MS. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(8,9,11,24)</a> As an example of the study carried out by de Jesus, found acute anti-inflammatory effect of a rich in curzerene essential oil. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(5)</a> Similarly, Pascoal, reported distinct essential oil composition patterns among E. uniflora varieties─yellow, red, and purple fruits─primarily driven by variations in β-Elemene and germacrene D content. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(7)</a> These findings highlight metabolic changes during fruit ripening and underscore the influence of genetic diversity among E. uniflora varieties. Such exhibitions are unsatisfactory, because they sustain all their evidence in the characterization of their essential oil only by GC-MS analysis, without considering the Cope rearrangements, a fact that may change the outcome of their research. In this context Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a good alternative for essential oil analysis, since is a robust not destructive technique and able to detect and quantify simultaneously a wide range of metabolites that exceed the concentration of about 5–10 μM. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(25)</a>In order to highlight analytical concerns about the uses of only GC-MS data to access chemical relevance of E. uniflora essential oil studies, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was employed to evaluate the chemical composition of the essential oil of Eugenia uniflora L. before and after an induced thermal treatment, compared to GC-MS data. The findings provide insights into thermolabile compounds and highlight potential misidentifications of the bioactive properties associated with the sesquiterpenes of E. uniflora present in literature.<h4>2. Results and Discussion</h4><h5>2.1. Characterization of the Essential Oil</h5>Approximately 60 compounds, mostly sesquiterpenes (Germacrene B) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (Germacrone), were visualized in the essential oil, with the 9 compounds having a relative area above 2%, as shown in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966#tbl1">Table 1</a>. The identified and most prevalent compounds align with those reported in the literature for E. uniflora. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(4,11,12)</a> It is possible to highlight the significant proportion of Germacrene-type sesquiterpenes compared to Elemene-type, except Curzerene, which was found in high concentration.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Table_1_Main_Components_Identified_in_the_GC_MS_Analysis_of_the_Essential_Oil_from_Leaves_of_E_uniflora_9d59d96bef.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2025, 10, 48, 59425–59434: Table 1. Main Components Identified in the GC–MS Analysis of the Essential Oil from Leaves of E. uniflora." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Table_1_Main_Components_Identified_in_the_GC_MS_Analysis_of_the_Essential_Oil_from_Leaves_of_E_uniflora_9d59d96bef.jpg 218w," sizes="100vw" width="1076" height="771">The variation in the composition of the essential oil from E. uniflora leaves was described in literature, <a href="javascript:void(0);">(9)</a> who classified the specimens into three groups: Group I, containing yellow, dark red, and purple fruits, which showed high concentrations of germacrene B, germacrone, and atractylone; Group II, consisting of light red fruit samples, with high concentrations of curzerene, germacrene D, and germacrene A; and Group III, containing orange-red fruits, with a high content of selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one and oxyselina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one. According to this classification, this essential oil fits into Group II.Chemical transformations of many components found in the E. uniflora leaves essential oil result from the heating conditions typically applied during GC–MS analysis, which occur through Cope Rearrangement. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(12,19)</a> Cope rearrangement is a stereospecific [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement that proceeds via the most stable chairlike transition state of 1,5-cyclodecadiene, from germacrene-type, to give 1,2-divinylcyclohexane, known as Elemene-type. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(14)</a> Some of the Cope rearrangements found in the E. uniflora essential oil are represented in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966#fig2">Figure 2</a>. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(11,22,23,26)</a><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Figure_2_Cope_Rearrangements_of_sesquiterpenes_7fe9282d75.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2025, 10, 48, 59425–59434: Figure 2. Cope Rearrangements of sesquiterpenes." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Figure_2_Cope_Rearrangements_of_sesquiterpenes_7fe9282d75.jpg 150w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="1566">The same essential oil was analyzed using NMR spectroscopy to identify its components. Although NMR identification is considerably more labor-intensive than GC-MS analysis, it offers the advantage of being a cold and nondestructive technique. Since the sample does not undergo heating during the process, its stability is preserved throughout the analysis. The conformational differences observed in germacrene-type compounds further increase the spectrum’s complexity, leading to signal broadening in the 1H NMR spectra. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(27)</a>A substantial number of signals were observed in the 1H spectrum, with the majority concentrated between 0.5 and 3.0 ppm, a region characteristic of terpene compounds. The region between 4.5 and 6.0 ppm also exhibited numerous signals attributed to vinylic protons, observed in sesquiterpenes (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c08966#fig3">Figure 3</a>).<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Figure_3_1_H_NMR_400_13_M_Hz_CD_Cl3_spectra_of_the_raw_essential_oil_a46e04574e.jpg" alt="ACS Omega 2025, 10, 48, 59425–59434: Figure 3. 1H NMR (400.13 MHz, CDCl3) spectra of the raw essential oil." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_ACS_Omega_2025_10_48_59425_59434_Figure_3_1_H_NMR_400_13_M_Hz_CD_Cl3_spectra_of_the_raw_essential_oil_a46e04574e.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="4175" height="2376"><h4>3. Conclusions</h4>The investigation of the composition of E. uniflora essential oil by NMR and the thermal treatment performed proved that curzerene may come from furanodiene due to the transformations that occur in the matrix during gas chromatographic analysis. These findings have significant implications for the investigation into the chemical composition of E. uniflora essential oil and the evaluation of the biological properties of its sesquiterpenes. Since each technique has advantages and disadvantages, combining GC-MS analysis with a cold technique, such as NMR is important to guarantee the proper identification of the compound genuinely responsible for any property assigned to E. uniflora essential oil.<h4>4. Materials and Methods</h4><h5>4.2. GC-MS Analysis</h5>The gas chromatographic analyses of the essential oils (10 mg mL–1) were performed using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry system (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=QP2020">Shimadzu GCMS-QP2020 Gas Chromatograph</a>). The analyses were conducted on an RTx-5MS capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm internal diameter × 0.25 μm film thickness), and the analytical conditions were as follows: split ratio of 1/10, injector temperature at 250 °C, ion source at 250 °C, and interface at 280 °C. The temperature program of the oven was set at 60 °C for 5 min, followed by a temperature ramp of 3 °C/min until reaching the final temperature of 240 °C. The components were identified based on the relative retention index, calculated for each constituent by injecting a series of n-alkane standards (C8–C20) under the same sample conditions and comparing them with tabulated values as well as by comparing the obtained mass spectra with the mass spectra database and literature comparisons. <a href="javascript:void(0);">(21)</a><h5>4.4. NMR Analysis</h5>All NMR spectra were acquired at 298 K on a Bruker AVANCE III spectrometer operating at 9.4 T, observing 1H at 400.13 MHz and 13C at 100.13 MHz, equipped with a broadband probe. The essential oil was solubilized in CDCl3 with 0.05% of tetramethylsilane (TMS) used as an internal reference. The 1H NMR spectra were recorded utilizing 65k time-domain data points across a spectral width of 20.00 ppm. This setup provided a digital resolution of 0.24 Hz. The data were obtained using a single 30° excitation pulse, with a relaxation delay of 1.0 s, and an average of 128 scans. The 13C NMR spectra was carried out using the zgpg30 pulse sequence utilizing 64k time-domain data points across a spectral width of 238 ppm, with an acquisition time of 1.3631 s, providing a digital resolution of 0.7434 Hz and a relaxation delay of 2.0s and an average of 2k scans.The HSQC and HMBC experiments were conducted using standard pulse sequences from the Bruker library, with modifications to the number of acquired points to improve resolution, 2048 in F2 and 512 in F1.</div>

Is Curzerene Responsible for the Bioactive Properties of Eugenia uniflora? A Possible Misinterpretation of Bioactive Markers

Quantitative Assessment of Chemical Modifications of Macromolecules through Counterion Measurement

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Focus will be given to the safety, authenticity and quality of food and beverages as well as the future of food products such as meat substitutes and alternative proteins.
This online symposium will cover:
<ul>
<li>Untargeted food analysis using different MS platforms</li>
<li>Applications of near-infrared hyperspectral imaging in food quality control</li>
<li>Applications of behavioral science in food research</li>
<li>Solid phase micro-extraction for beverage analysis</li>
<li>Challenges and opportunities in fermentation for production of alternative proteins</li>
<li>ELNs to support data management in food and beverage labs</li>
<li>Key strategies for pesticide analysis using GC-MS</li>
<li>Nutritional and toxic plant-based elemental analysis using ICP-MS</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Brian Quinn, PhD (Head of Mass Spectrometry, Queen&#39;s University Belfast)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Vincent Baeten, PhD (Scientific Director, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Michelle Niedziela, PhD (VP of Research &amp; Innovation, HCD Research)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Erich Leitner, PhD (Professor, Graz University of Technology)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Stefan Cretnik, PhD (Product Manager, PAL System)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Theresa Liao (Content Specialist, SciNote)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Wade Opperman (Manager of the Americas, SciNote)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Moran Farhi, PhD (VP of Research, The Better Meat Co.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Liyan Xing, PhD (Senior Application Scientist, PerkinElmer)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Anastasia Andrianova, PhD (GC/MS Applications Scientist, Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>

Technology Networks: Advances in Food & Beverage Analysis 2023

Advances in Food & Beverage Analysis 2023

The third edition of this online symposium will provide industry and academic scientists with the opportunity to hear from experts from across the field.

In part II of the webinar series, a fast and automated workflow for the quantitative analysis of microplastics in complex matrices will be discussed along with the identification, and quantification of microplastics in air samples using the micro-furnace Pyrolysis-GC/MS. We will also show the power of an intelligent search engine (F-Search MPs) for data analysis and quantitation of Microplastics polymers. 
We will host a Q&amp;A session after the presentation to address any questions or comments.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Alan Owens (GCMS Product Manager, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Alan Owens is the GCMS Product Manager at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments. Alan received his B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry from Hampden-Sydney college. He then joined Shimadzu as a GCMS Product Specialist at the corporate headquarters in Columbia, MD. Before his time with Shimadzu, he comes from a flavor and fragrance background with expertise in advanced sample introduction techniques such as SPME and Dynamic headspace. He has since expanded into all sample introduction techniques specifically tailored towards Pyrolysis with a heavy influence of plastics and polymers.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Rojin Belganeh (Technical &amp; Marketing Director, Frontier Laboratories-North America)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Rojin Belganeh is the Technical &amp; Marketing Director at Frontier Laboratories-North America. Rojin graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She started her profession as an analytical chemist in oil &amp; gas industry in 2012. As an analytical chemist, Rojin worked with various analytical instruments, such as Pyrolysis GCMS, TGA, FTIR, and X-Rays for material characterization, polymer identification, and contamination analysis. She also holds an MBA degree concentrating in strategic marketing from the University of Houston-Victoria. As a former user for more than five years, Rojin joined Frontier Laboratories in May of 2017. She is very passionate in creating awareness about Frontier technology and providing technical support to users.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Athena Nguyen (Technical Support Scientist, Frontier Laboratories-North America)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Athena Nguyen is a Technical Support Specialist at Frontier Labs Americas. She graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in science in chemistry in 2014. The first three years after graduating, Athena worked as an analytical chemist. She has experience using multiple analytical instruments, including GC/MS/FID/ECD, with applications in the oil and gas industry. Athena joined Frontier Lab in 2020 and provides technical and product support to Frontier’s users.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Andy Sandy (GCMS Application Scientist, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Andy Sandy is a Gas chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Applications Scientist at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, USA. In 2016, he joined the company. At Shimadzu he is a part of a dynamic application group, which is responsible for developing applications that provide solutions to complex analytical issues. Prior to working at Shimadzu, he completed a post-doctoral study at University of Illinois at Chicago, where he focused on developing environmental analytical methods for identifying and measuring emerging contaminant in the environment.
</blockquote>

Shimadzu: Novel Microplastics Applications utilizing Pyrolysis GC-MS

Novel Microplastics Applications utilizing Pyrolysis GC-MS

A fast and automated workflow for the quantitative analysis of microplastics in complex matrices and air will be discussed using Pyrolysis-GC/MS.

Webinars will cover the following Gas Chromatography topics:
<ul>
<li>6/27 - Vaporizers for LPG Samples</li>
<li>7/11 - Dynamic Blending for Linearity and LDL</li>
<li>7/18 - GC Valves: Purposes and Service</li>
<li>7/25 - Calibration Techniques for Accurate Data</li>
<li>8/1 - Sample Capture, Transport, and Introduction</li>
<li>8/8 - GC Detectors I: PDHID and SCD</li>
<li>8/15 - GC Autosamplers for Gas and LPG Samples</li>
<li>8/22 - GC Detectors II: The Strengths of Mass Spectrometry</li>
<li>8/29 - Methanizers for Trace CO &amp; CO2</li>
<li>9/5 - Training Program for GC Operators</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: John Wasson (President, Wasson-ECE Instrumentation, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
John Wasson has over 40 years of experience in Gas Chromatography and Chemical Instrumentation.
</blockquote>

Wasson-ECE Instrumentation: Free GC Webinar Series

GC Valves: Purposes and Service

Calibration Techniques for Accurate Data

The release of chemicals from products and materials has been at the centre of increased scrutiny from regulators, industry and consumers alike. Concerns over the effects of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) on human health, consumer comfort, and product performance are increasing.
Analysts need a robust and reproducible approach to sample these emissions from a wide variety of materials and products, for analysis by GC-MS, to answer such questions as: What’s that smell? Is my product safe? Is there anything toxic in my home/car? How can I detect a harmful chemical from a material?
This webinar addresses the use of an innovative, robust and cost-effective sampling device, the Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor, combined with the powerful analytical capabilities of thermal desorption-gas chromatography mass spectrometry.
Several case studies are presented that highlight the implementation of this versatile sample preparation system covering:
<ul>
<li>PFAS testing
</li>
<li>Volatiles that effect indoor and in-vehicle air quality
</li>
<li>Identification of chemical weapons on clothing
</li>
<li>Determination of off gassing compounds that effect semiconductors
</li>
</ul>
Who should attend:
<ul>
<li>Those interested in or using GC, GC–MS</li>
<li>Application specialists</li>
<li>Contract laboratories</li>
<li>Academics</li>
<li>Industry scientists</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Caroline Widdowson (Marketing Development Manager - Thermal Desorption, Markes International)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Caroline is the marketing development manager for thermal desorption at Markes International, having completed her chemistry degree at Cardiff University in 2004, followed by a Ph.D. in organic chemistry. As part of her current role, Caroline advises manufacturers, test laboratories, and research institutes on equipment needed to monitor indoor air and study chemical emissions from materials used indoors or in vehicle interiors. Caroline also participates in ASTM and CEN standards and regulatory committees relating to this area.
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Presenter: Aaron Davies (Commercial Marketing Manager - Thermal Desorption, Markes International)
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Aaron is the commercial marketing manager for thermal desorption at Markes International. After graduating from Cardiff and Monash Universities with a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Aaron has worked in industry as a Process and Product Development Chemist, GC GCMS Product Specialist before finally focusing on his passion for Thermal Desorption. In his role, Aaron assists customers and partners on the effective use of thermal desorption for simplifying sample preparation and the benefits of using alternative carrier gases (such as hydrogen and nitrogen) to helium.
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Separation science: Simplifying GC–MS sample preparation for product and material testing

Simplifying GC–MS sample preparation for product and material testing

The use of an innovative, robust and cost-effective sampling device, the Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor.

Simplifying GC–MS sample preparation

Welcome to Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Powering Productivity in Food and Environmental Testing webinar series!
Sample preparation for POPs analysis creates one of the biggest bottlenecks in the analytical workflow. With such diverse matrices and compounds of potential interference, the sample prep process can be very manual and therefore prone to introducing errors- threatening productivity in food and environmental testing labs globally.
In this presentation, our expert Chris Shevlin will introduce a new solution for automating this process, allowing you to extract your analyte of interest, whether a pesticide, dioxin or organic pollutant, in a way that is robust, reproducible and enables your lab to become more efficient by handling multiple samples and extractions at the same time.
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Presenter: Chris Shevlin (Scientific and Educational Affairs Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
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Chris Shevlin is the Scientific and Educational Affairs Manager for Ion Chromatography and Automated Sample Preparation systems at Thermo Fisher Scientific. After graduating from the University of Buffalo, he started working in a pharmaceutical laboratory running HPLC, LC-MS and other chromatographic methods in a technical services and QC laboratory. After earning an MBA in 2004, Chris has worked in sales, product management and marketing with a few of the major analytical instrument manufacturers since then.
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In 2015, Chris joined Thermo Scientific working with their chromatography and mass spectrometry systems and in 2019 moved into a product marketing role for Ion Chromatography and Automated Sample Preparation business unit. In his current role, he is partnering with scientists on new applications through collaborations, developing scientific and educational content, and working with new products and innovations.
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Thermo Scientific: Recent Advances in Sample Prep for POPs

Recent Advances in Sample Prep for POPs

New solution for automating this process, allowing you to extract your analyte of interest, whether a pesticide, dioxin or organic pollutant.

The 8700 provides an easy flow for analysis of microplastics so that non-spectroscopists can generate accurate, reliable data without prior experience using an infrared microscope.
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Presenter: Louis Tisinger (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
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Louis (Lou) Tisinger has a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Miami University in Oxford Ohio, where his graduate research involved the study of ATR imaging and microscope performance in vibrational spectroscopy. Most of his career has been related to pre- and post-sales support of FTIR spectrometers, microscopes, imaging systems, and thermal analytical instruments, focusing on analyzing customer samples, demonstrations, post-sales training, troubleshooting, and R&amp;D.
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Agilent Technologies: Easy Workflow for Analysis of Microplastics

Easy Workflow for Analysis of Microplastics

The 8700 provides an easy flow for analysis of microplastics so that non-spectroscopists can generate accurate, reliable data.

MOSH and MOAH refer to Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons and Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons. These mineral oils are hydrocarbon mixtures containing hundreds of chemical compounds of various sizes and structural configurations which are mainly derived from crude oil. Also, they are derived from liquefaction of coal, natural gas, and biomass.
MOAH are hydrocarbons majorly consisting of highly alkylated mono- and/or poly-aromatic rings. These compounds can be found everywhere in the environment, whereas MOSH are paraffin-like, open chained, commonly branched hydrocarbons (e.g., alkanes) and naphthene-like cyclic hydrocarbons (cycloalkanes).
The analysis of such contaminants in food is a challenging task and requires a comprehensive approach to tackle the cumbersome issues related to their determination. Additionally, their toxicity is still under investigation and requires further studies supported by more detailed analytical data.
In this live webinar in association with Gulf Bio Analytical LLC (GBA), you will learn:
1. Basics of MOSH/MOAH Analysis
2. Tackling challenges of MOSH/MOAH Analysis
3. Hyphenated chromatographic techniques as powerful tools to gain deeper insights into the MOSH and MOAH problem
Who should attend: Lab chemists, scientists, R&amp;D chemists, lab managers, technical assistants, food chemists
Why you should attend: To learn and mitigate challenges of MOSH/MOAH analysis through unique technologies
Hurry, register today.
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Presenter: Sajit Parameshwaran (Product Manager, Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry, Gulf Bio Analytical LLC (GBA))
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Sajit Parameshwaran is currently working as a Product manager, Chromatography &amp; Mass Spectrometry in the Gulf Bioanalytical group, located in Dubai. He has completed his Masters in Analytical chemistry from Mumbai university. Prior to joining Gulf Bioanalytical, he worked as an application specialist &amp; HPLC trainer at Agilent Technologies India Pvt. Ltd. He has more than 20 years of experience in the analytical instrumentation industry. In the current organization, he has been instrumental in delivering application training and method setup on chromatography and mass spectrometry instruments related to food testing, forensics, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. In his current role, he is responsible to provide the right instrument solutions based on customer’s application requirements. He is actively involved in delivering talks in various webinars &amp; seminars on new product technologies and applications catering to applied markets.
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Agilent Technologies: Let's Talk MOSH/MOAH Analysis

Let's Talk MOSH/MOAH Analysis

Basics of MOSH/MOAH Analysis. Tackling challenges of MOSH/MOAH Analysis. Hyphenated chromatographic techniques.

The air we breathe may be slowly killing us and growing concerns over the harmful effects of hazardous air pollutants have led to increase in volatile organic compound (VOC) monitoring programs worldwide. Regulations are evolving, requiring laboratories to monitor more compounds more frequently and to detect ever-lower levels in ambient air. In India experts are considering updating and improving the country’s standard VOC monitoring methodologies.
The classes of chemical compound that contribute to ‘air pollution’ are diverse and each group presents unique challenges to air monitoring. Thermal desorption coupled with gas chromatography offers a simple, robust, solvent and cryogen-free solution to routine monitoring of many air pollutants.
In this presentation Dr S. K. Tyagi will outline the challenges of air pollution and how methods for tackling it are evolving in India. Hannah Calder of Markes International will introduce the instrumentation at the heart of these new methods – analytical thermal desorbers. 
By attending this webinar you will learn:
<ul>
<li>How India’s VOC monitoring methods are evolving and what to expect in the future</li>
<li>How thermal desorption–GC-MS can be implemented to help monitor and tackle pollution</li>
<li>When to utilise offline and online techniques to answer specific environmental concerns</li>
</ul>
Why should you attend?
This is a unique opportunity to hear and engage with Dr Tyagi on his work related to VOC monitoring and the creation of standard methods to do this in India. 
You will also learn how techniques such as sorbent tube sampling, canister sampling and online monitoring can simplify the process of monitoring pollution and increase data confidence from Markes&#39; Senior Environmental Specialist, Hannah Calder.
Who should attend?
<ul>
<li>Those interested in standardisation and methods for monitoring VOCs</li>
<li>Research institutes</li>
<li>Government laboratories</li>
<li>Contract laboratories interested in offering VOC monitoring services</li>
</ul>
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Presenter: Dr Tyagi
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Presenter: Hannah Calder (Markes&#39; Senior Environmental Specialist)
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Markes International: The invisible toxic in air we breathe

The invisible toxic in air we breathe

We will outline the challenges of air pollution and how methods for tackling it are evolving in India and introduce analytical thermal desorbers.

What&#39;s the connection between nirosamine impurities and mass spectrometry?
How do you ensure your lab is ready to handle and analyze any API or formulation sample at any time?
Get answers to these questions in this The Lab Central premiere.
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Presenter: Preeti Bharatiya (Application Engineer LC-MS/MS, Agilent Technologies)
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Presenter: Dr. Soma Dasgupta (Application Engineer GC/MS, Agilent Technologies)
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