The goal of this study was to develop and validate a sensitive and reliable analytical method for determining selected hydroxy derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) in wastewater using gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (GC-ITQ-MS). Given the toxicological significance of OH-PAHs, the research aimed to optimize each stage of the analytical workflow—from extraction and derivatization to detection.The method was tailored to environmental samples and validated on real wastewater from the Płaszów treatment plant in Krakow. It enabled accurate quantification of OH-PAHs at nanogram-per-liter levels and also included a stability assessment of these compounds in the aqueous phase, revealing substantial degradation within hours.<blockquote><h4>The original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176">Development of GC-ITQ-MS chromatographic system for the identification of hydroxy derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in wastewater</a></h4>Justyna Pamuła, Elżbieta Sochacka-Tatara, Katarzyna Styszko&nbsp;Journal of Chromatography A, Volume 1752, 2025, 465969<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2025.465969">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2025.465969</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.Humans have a significant impact on both the animate and inanimate nature, with consequences that include loss of biodiversity, climate change, urbanization, industrial development, and environmental pollution. Human activities continuously contribute to the release of increasing amounts of pollutants into the environment. The growing number of chemical compounds poses a threat to natural ecosystems and, more importantly, to human health and life [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0001">1</a>]. Among these pollutants are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Incomplete combustion processes are the primary source of PAHs emissions into the environment [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0002">2</a>]. Research by global scientists indicates that the total estimated global emission of PAHs into the atmosphere comes from biofuels (56.7 %), with forest fires contributing 17.0 %. Other significant sources include the use of consumer products (6.9 %), car exhaust fumes (4.8 %), and combustion of household coal (3.7 %). Industrial activities contribute &lt;10 % of global PAH emissions, with coke production being the largest industrial source at 3.6 %. In particular, the volume of PAH emissions is positively correlated with gross domestic product (GDP) and negatively with average income [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0003">3</a>]. Globally, biofuel combustion is the main source of PAHs, especially in countries with low GDP per capita such as India and China, where straw and wood are burnt for heat energy in rural areas [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0004">4</a>]. In urbanized areas, PAHs are primarily emitted from automobile exhaust fumes and industrial activities [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0005">5</a>].PAHs are present in all elements of the environment: water, soil, air, and food, allowing them to easily enter the human body [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0002">2</a>,<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0006">6</a>]. PAHs have been an important focus in environmental pollution research for many years due to some being highly carcinogenic or mutagenic [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0007">7</a>]. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the most hazardous of the unsubstituted PAHs is benzo(a)pyrene, the only PAH classified as a group 1 human carcinogen [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0008">8</a>]. Consequently, benzo(a)pyrene is commonly analyzed in the environment as a marker of carcinogenic risk associated with PAHs.PAHs are ubiquitous in the environment, leading to human exposure through skin contact, food ingestion, and inhalation [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0002">2</a>,<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0009">9</a>] Once in the body, PAHs are transported through the bloodstream to tissues and organs. Due to their lipophilicity, they accumulate in adipose tissue, with their metabolism occurring mainly in the liver and bile ducts. PAH metabolites in the form of hydroxy derivatives (OH-PAHs) are excreted from the body within a few days [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0010">10</a>]. OH-PAHs with lower molecular weight (fewer than four benzene rings) are excreted primarily in urine, while those with higher molecular weight (four or more rings) are mainly excreted primarily through bile and feces [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0011">11</a>]. PAH metabolites are used as biomarkers of PAH exposure [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0012">12</a>]. There is a need for improved sample preparation techniques that enable more efficient extraction of OH-PAH from the sample matrix. Innovative methods are proposed, including thin-film SPME membranes using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in combination with Ordered Mesoporous Carbon [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0013">13</a>], electromembrane extraction [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0014">14</a>], or magnetic sorption on Fe3O4@HCP-BA, a magnetic composite consisting of magnetite (Fe3O4) and hyper-cross-linked boronic acid polymer (HCP-BA) [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0015">15</a>].OH-PAHs have the potential to be more dangerous to living organisms than their parent compounds [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0012">12</a>]. Despite the potential risk of OH-PAHs, there is limited research on their occurrence in the environment. Selected OH-PAHs have been determined in lake water [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0016">16</a>], surface soil [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0017">17</a>], and air particulates [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0018">18</a>]. The only available study on OH-PAH concentration levels in wastewater is by Pojan and Marcomini, which used liquid chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0019">19</a>].This research aimed to develop and validate a methodology for determining selected hydroxy derivatives of PAHs in wastewater using gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer. Using the analytical method, the stability of these compounds in the sewage matrix was assessed, and preliminary tests were conducted on municipal sewage to determine the concentrations of OH-PAHs. Additionally, the research investigated the stability of selected OH-PAHs in wastewater.<h4>2. Experimental</h4><h5>2.3. Instrumentation</h5>The gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC-ITQ-MS) used was a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=3&amp;search=TRACE+1310">TRACE 1310</a> Thermo Scientific gas chromatograph equipped with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/1747">Thermo Scientific TG-SQC capillary chromatographic colum</a>n, 30 m in length, with an internal diameter of 0.25 mm, and a film thickness of 0.25 µm (filled with 5 % phenyl and 95 % methylpolysiloxane). The setup also included an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=3&amp;search=ITQ+900">ITQ 900</a> Thermo Scientific ion trap mass spectrometer and a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/422">Tri Plus RSH Thermo Scientific autosampler</a>. The identification of hydroxy derivatives of PAHs was enabled by the mass spectrometer. Destructive ionization of molecules was achieved using an EI energy of 70 eV. A single standard was subjected, after derivatization, to multiple analyzes in the SCAN detector mode, allowing the scanning of the entire mass spectrum range from 50 to 500 m/z. This enabled the determination of spectra for the compounds studied, which had been converted into volatile derivatives using BSTFA and MTBSTFA. Subsequently, optimal column operating conditions were selected to allow for the chromatographic separation of the OH-PAHs mixture.<h4>3. Result and discussion</h4><h5>3.2. Selection of chromatographic separation parameters</h5>The separation of compounds on a chromatographic column is determined by the operating conditions of the column. The selection of the appropriate chromatography temperature depends on the boiling points of the components of the mixture being separated [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0023">23</a>]. According to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#tbl0001">Table 1</a>, the range of boiling points of the compounds is 105 °C. In such cases, isothermal chromatography does not produce the desired results, leading to asymmetric, broad, and asymmetric peaks. Therefore, the column temperature programming is used. This involves maintaining a constant temperature for a certain period, then increasing it at a preset rate, and maintaining the new temperature for a specified duration.The development of optimal chromatographic separation began with the introduction of GC operating parameters presented in the work of Campo and colleagues [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0024">24</a>]. The authors identified 12 hydroxy derivatives of PAHs in urine samples, including all those that were the subjects of the current investigation. However, the obtained chromatogram was not satisfactory, prompting the development of a new separation method for two derivatization reagents, BSTFA and MTBSTFA. The exact operating parameters of the GC are presented in Table A.1., in the appendices.<div>The analytical method was developed to enable qualitative and quantitative determination of hydroxy derivatives of PAHs in sewage. Real sewage is a mixture of many dissolved chemical compounds, which, when analyzed using GC-ITQ-MS, cause significant noise in the chromatogram. Given the high noise level when the analysis in SCAN mode, it was decided to develop a selective ion monitoring (SIM) method. This detector operating mode allows recording the current intensity only for selected ions with characteristic masses. The SIM method is particularly useful when a given compound is present in small amounts and when the matrix effect is significant, resulting in a reduced detection sensitivity. Based on the information in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#tbl0002">Table 2</a> and the retention times of individual compounds, three time intervals were introduced during ion monitoring, increasing the sensitivity of the method. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#fig0001">Fig. 1</a> shows chromatograms for wastewater enriched with standard solutions of selected OH-PAHs at a concentration of 3 µg/ml using the MTBSTFA derivatizer.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Journal_of_Chromatography_A_Volume_1752_2025_465969_Fig_1_Chromatograms_for_wastewater_enriched_with_OH_PAH_standards_for_the_SIM_method_using_the_MTBSTFA_derivatization_reagent_67d468ce41.jpg" alt="Journal of Chromatography A, Volume 1752, 2025, 465969: Fig. 1. Chromatograms for wastewater enriched with OH-PAH standards for the SIM method using the MTBSTFA derivatization reagent." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Journal_of_Chromatography_A_Volume_1752_2025_465969_Fig_1_Chromatograms_for_wastewater_enriched_with_OH_PAH_standards_for_the_SIM_method_using_the_MTBSTFA_derivatization_reagent_67d468ce41.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="2667" height="1601"><h4>4. Conclusion</h4>In this study, a GC-ITQ-MS-based method was developed and validated for the determination of selected hydroxy derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) in wastewater. The method was optimized for solid-phase extraction (SPE) and derivatization, ensuring high recoveries and selectivity. The results confirmed that MTBSTFA is an effective derivatization reagent for all analyzed OH-PAHs, with optimized reaction conditions enhancing sensitivity. The method was successfully applied to real wastewater samples, identifying OH-PAHs in concentrations ranging from several to several hundred ng/L.<div>A comparative analysis with the HPLC-MS method of Pojana and Marcomini [<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#bib0019">19</a>] revealed key differences in analytical performance (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325003176#tbl0005">Table 5</a>). GC-ITQ-MS demonstrated superior sensitivity (lower LOD and LOQ values) and selectivity due to the derivatization step and the use of Selective Ion Monitoring (SIM) mode. Additionally, the method allowed for the detection of a broader range of OH-PAHs in real wastewater samples. In contrast, HPLC-MS provided a simplified workflow by eliminating the need for derivatization, though at the cost of higher detection limits and a narrower range of detectable OH-PAHs.An important aspect of this research was the assessment of OH-PAH stability in wastewater, which highlighted significant degradation within the first few hours after sampling. These findings underscore the importance of immediate sample processing and appropriate storage conditions to prevent data distortion.The developed GC-ITQ-MS method offers a robust and sensitive tool for OH-PAH monitoring, significantly contributing to environmental analytical chemistry. Given the potential health and ecological risks posed by OH-PAHs, further research should focus on their behavior in wastewater treatment processes and their environmental fate. This work provides a solid foundation for future studies on OH-PAHs and their impact on aquatic ecosystems.</div></div>

Development of GC-ITQ-MS chromatographic system for the identification of hydroxy derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in wastewater

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 2nd June 2025? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!<blockquote>👉 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library">SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</a></blockquote><blockquote>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezLCMS</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library">LabRulezICPMS</a> libraries.</blockquote>This week we bring you application notes by Agilent Technologies and Shimadzu, presentation by Certech / MDCW and poster by Thermo Fisher Scientific!<h3>1. Agilent Technologies: Fully Automated Workflow for Volatile PFAS Analysis in Food Contact Materials Using GC-Triple Quadrupole MS</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_volatile_pfas_gc_tq_5994_8295en_agilent_56f5e22152.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>"Forever Chemicals" is a term used to describe PFAS due to their slow chemical breakdown and persistence in the environment. Because of their excellent waterproof, nonstick, and stain-resistant properties, PFAS are widely used in various industries and consumer applications. Materials containing PFAS have been used in food packaging and FCMs since the mid-20th century.1,2 Scientific studies have shown that PFAS are prone to migrating into food through various pathways, potentially leading to public health issues.2,3 Consequently, new guidelines and regulations have been established to ensure the quality and safety of the materials used in the food&nbsp;industry.&nbsp;In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has phased out the use of certain PFAS as grease-proofing agents in paper and paperboard packaging, including perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH).4 In addition, the European Union (EU) is working on a comprehensive restriction of PFAS under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), which aims to limit the use of PFAS in various applications including food packaging and FCMs.5 Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden have also jointly proposed that the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) enact a broad ban on PFAS in the EU market (REACH Appendix XV).6 It is expected that more regulations and voluntary initiatives will be implemented to address and control PFAS contamination in food packaging and contact materials.&nbsp;Therefore, establishing a sensitive and accurate quantitative analytical approach for PFAS analysis is crucial to ensure the safety of materials used in food industry. Technologies such as liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography (GC) paired with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (TQ) are often used to analyze different PFAS groups based on their properties.3 Volatile compounds such as FTOHs and fluorotelomer acrylates (FTAs) are particularly suitable for GC/TQ analysis due to their high vapor pressure. Manual sample preparation for PFAS in food packaging or FCMs involves processes such as leaching, cleanup and evaporation that are labor-intensive, costly, and reduce lab productivity.7 This application note presents a robust and fully automated method that uses the PAL3 Series 2 RTC autosampler coupled with an Agilent 7010D GC/TQ to quantify more than 30 volatile PFAS analytes in paper coffee cups, an FCM. The performance of the automated workflow was evaluated in terms of calibration linearity, MDLs, QC recovery, and method&nbsp;precision.<h4>Experimental</h4><h5>Instrumentation</h5>Figure 1 shows the integrated <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=PAL3+autosampler">PAL3 Series 2 RTC autosampler </a>coupled with an Agilent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=7010D+GC%2FTQ">7010D GC/TQ</a> in the setup used to apply the fully automated PFAS quantitation workflow to paper coffee cup matrix. A 120 cm PAL3 Series 2 RTC autosampler was used as an automated liquid handling platform for calibration standards preparation, sample extraction, and injections onto the GC/TQ system. Equipped with various tools and modules, the PAL3 Series 2 RTC autosampler provided the necessary capabilities for its designated functions.For the analysis of PFAS, a 7010D GC/TQ with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=HES+2.0+ion+source">HES 2.0 ion source</a> was coupled to an Agilent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=8890+GC">8890 GC</a> system equipped with an MMI inlet and splitless liner (part&nbsp;number&nbsp;5190-2293). SWARM autotune was performed to obtain the optimal instrument settings. The entire system was managed by Agilent MassHunter Acquisition 13.0 software, which provides an integrated single-software-system experience. The instrument operating conditions and parameters are listed in Table 1.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study demonstrates a robust and fully automated method for the analysis of volatile PFAS in FCMs using a PAL3 Series 2 RTC autosampler coupled with an Agilent 7010D GC/TQ system. The Agilent MassHunter Optimizer proved invaluable by simplifying and accelerating the development of the acquisition method for the volatile PFAS, making the process user-friendly and efficient. The 7010D GC/TQ system with the next-generation HES 2.0 ion source provided exceptional sensitivity, achieving sub-ppb MDLs for the majority of PFAS analytes.&nbsp;This high level of sensitivity ensures accurate quantitation of trace levels of volatile PFAS, which is essential for reliable analysis. Notably, for all FTOHs, an LOQ of 20&nbsp;µg/kg with recoveries ranging from 65&nbsp;to 135% and %RSD &lt; 10 were achieved, highlighting the high extraction efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of the automated PAL3 Series 2 RTC autosampler with Agilent 7010D GC/TQ workflow for PFAS analysis in FCMs.&nbsp;Automation of the workflow offers significant advantages for routine laboratory operations. Automation reduces human errors, eliminates the need for manual intervention, decreases chemical usage, and enhances overall laboratory productivity. This high-throughput solution is not only reliable but can be used to provide valuable food safety guidance to regulatory bodies by ensuring that trace-level volatile PFAS monitoring in FCMs is efficient and&nbsp;accurate.<h3>2. Certech / MDCW: Characterization of Odorous Compounds in Recycled Materials</h3><ul><li>Presentation</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/OL_19_Certech_Brasseur_C_16th_MDCW_423e916ef1.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>Recycled materials such as polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) often emit unpleasant odors that can limit their applications. At the 16th MDCW, Certech presented a comprehensive methodology to identify and characterize these odorous compounds, which are typically present in trace amounts yet have significant sensory impact. Their approach combines sensory evaluation with advanced analytical instrumentation to reveal the chemical origin of smells.Certech relies on GC-MS/Olfactometry, also known as "sniffing" - to link chemical structures with perceived odors. Trained panelists assess the intensity and character of smells in controlled sensory rooms, while instruments detect compounds at extremely low concentrations. Key techniques include thermal desorption (TD), headspace-trap, and high-capacity sorptive extraction (HiSorb), integrated into the Centri® platform for automated and reproducible sampling.To deal with complex matrices like recycled PP, Certech employs <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=24&amp;search=GC%C3%97GC-HRTOFMS%2FFID">GC×GC-HRTOFMS/FID</a>, a powerful method that enables the detection of co-eluting compounds and unknowns. This multidimensional gas chromatography technique helps identify specific odor contributors such as pyrazines, diketones, or thiophenes, and supports comparisons before and after treatment processes.Certech's custom methods, including Tedlar bag sampling and Tenax sorbent tubes, allow for global odor assessment under controlled thermal conditions. These tools make it possible to isolate and study minor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are otherwise masked by the complexity of the sample matrix.By integrating human sensory perception with cutting-edge chemical analysis, Certech provides industries with actionable insights to improve the sensory quality of recycled polymers. Their services are a key asset for manufacturers aiming to meet quality expectations in sustainable materials.<h3>3. Shimadzu: Gas Analysis Using a Brevis GC-2050 Gas Chromatograph with a GI-30 Auto Gas Injector and TCD and BID Detectors</h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_01_00858_en_1_a8de0ad49c.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>User Benefits:<ul><li>The updated TCD detector has a shorter stabilization time and is suitable for analyzing high-concentration components.</li><li>Shimadzu's unique BID detector can simultaneously analyze principal compounds including H2 and also detect low-concentration components.</li><li>The combination of TCD and BID detectors allows for analyzing a wide range of sample concentrations.</li><li>The newly introduced GI-30 automatic gas injector enables automatic and reproducible analysis of gas samples..</li></ul>GC is used to analyze gases in a wide range of fields, such as natural resources/energy and environmental testing. Typical components analyzed include inorganic gases like H2, CO, and CO2, and lower hydrocarbons starting with CH4. When analyzing these components with GC, either the TCD or BID detector can be selected asthe detector.&nbsp;Both TCD and BID detectors can detect all compounds except for carrier gases (the BID cannot detect Ne). TCD detectors are characterized by their ability to analyze high-concentration components reliably and its short stabilization time. In contrast, BID detectors are unique detectors, only offered by Shimadzu, that can detect low-concentration components that are difficult to detect with TCD detectors and can simultaneously analyze a variety of compoundsincluding H2.&nbsp;This article describes using a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=Brevis+GC-2050">Brevis GC-2050</a> system equipped with TCD and BID detectors to analyze gases with a GI-30 automatic gas injector. Using the GI-30, gas samples can be automatically injected into the GC unit, enabling reproducible continuous analysis. In addition, since the GI-30 can be used in conjunction with an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=AOC-30">AOC-30 series autoinjector</a> or other units, gas samples and liquid samples can be efficiently analyzed with a single GC unit. This article also examines the analysis process flow and reproducibility when using the GI-30.<h4>Conclusion</h4>TCD and BID detectors, which can be installed in Brevis GC-2050 systems, are both effective detectors for gas analysis. TCD detectors can analyze high-concentration components and is characterized by a short stabilization time. BID detectors can detect trace components that are difficult to detect with a TCD detector and allow simultaneous analysis including H2. Additionally, the newly released GI-30 model not only reduces the burden on analysts through automatic continuous gas analysis but also enables highly reproducible analysis, which is difficult to achieve with manual injection.<h3>4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: An integrated GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS workflow for quantitative analysis of pesticides with cross-confirmation using a single chromatography data system software</h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/po_202_integrated_workflow_qantitative_pesticides_single_chromatography_software_po202_asms2024_en_2c2a405797.pdf">Full PDF for download</a></li></ul>According to the World Health Organization, more than one thousand different pesticides are used to protect crops from pests to increase yields and to minimize deterioration of agricultural products during storage and transportation. However, inappropriate use of pesticides can result in contamination of the food supply and the environment making it essential to define and monitor pesticide residue targets to protect the environment, consumer health, support trade, and establish food regulatory control. Consequently, laboratories are tasked to develop methods with a broad scope to detect, correctly identify, and quantitate hundreds of different pesticides and their transformation products in diverse sample matrices, and often at levels well below maximum residue levels (MRLs) set by regulatory bodies.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>The samples were extracted using the Thermo Scientific <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=3&amp;search=QuEChERS+AOAC+2007.01+Method+extraction+kit">QuEChERS AOAC 2007.01 Method extraction kit</a> (P/N S1-15-AOAC-POT). Acetonitrile (15 mL) was added to 15 g of green beans sample; for wheat, water (15 mL) plus acetonitrile (15 mL) were added to the sample (5 g). No clean-up was applied to extracts for LC-MS/MS before injection. GC-MS/MS extracts were cleaned up using the Thermo Scientific QuEChERS AOAC 2007.01 method clean-up kit (P/N S2-2-GFV-AOAC-KIT), and an aliquot of the cleaned-up solution was solvent exchanged to heptane before injection.For the LC-MS/MS amenable pesticides, a Thermo Scientific Vanquish Flex UHPLC system was connected to a Thermo Scientific Altis Plus mass spectrometer system. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a Thermo Scientific Hypersil GOLD C18 column (150 × 2.1 mm, 3 μm). See Figure 1 for more method details.&nbsp;For the GC-MS/MS amenable pesticides, a Thermo Scientific <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/486">TRACE 1610 GC</a> equipped with a Thermo Scientific iConnect Thermospray injector (TSI) and a Thermo Scientific <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/422">TriPlus SMART autosampler </a>was connected to a Thermo Scientific <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/485">TSQ 9610 triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS </a>system equipped with a Thermo Scientific Advanced Electron Ionization (AEI) source. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a Thermo Scientific <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/1747">TraceGOLD TG-SQC GC-capillary column</a> (15 m × 0.25 mm ID × 0.25 μm film thickness). See Figure 2 for more method details<h4>Conclusions</h4><ul><li>The pre-configured Thermo Scientific GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS pesticide workflows for analysis of approximately 700 pesticides are available as out-of-the-box solutions which include the hardware, software, built-in instrument and data processing methods, details of sample extraction, and consumables for fast implementation into any laboratory.&nbsp;</li><li>The unique feature for cross confirmation of identity, combining GC-MS/MS and LCMS/MS data, provides increased confidence in results and reduces the need for reanalysis while minimizing the possibility of false positive and negative results.&nbsp;</li><li>The results obtained from analysis of the PT samples demonstrate how the integrated workflows can quantitate GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS amenable pesticides with the required accuracy and precision in a blind test, mimicking a real-world lab situation.&nbsp;</li><li>The Chromeleon CDS version 7.3.2, built specifically for pesticides, provides fast data processing of large datasets comprising of hundreds of pesticides, in any configuration, from a workstation on a single computer to a complete Chromeleon Enterprise environment connecting multiple MS instruments and computers.</li></ul>

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