Combining elemental analysis and molecular techniques to characterize Ancient Egyptian mummification balms

Microplastics have emerged as one of the most widely discussed environmental contaminants of our time. Regardless of where we live, daily exposure to microplastics has become virtually unavoidable—these tiny plastic particles are present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the environments we inhabit. As researchers work to better understand the sources, transport pathways, and impacts of microplastics, the demand for reliable microplastic analysis methods continues to grow.While techniques such as FTIR and Raman spectroscopy have become standard tools for identifying microplastics, their utility is limited for smaller particles (i.e. nanoplastics) and in complex matrices. More advanced microplastic analysis methods can provide a deeper understanding of what these particles contain and how they may change over time in the environment.<div><h3>The Limits of Spectroscopic Microplastic Analysis Methods</h3>Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy are widely used microplastic analysis methods because they can identify polymer types by measuring how electromagnetic radiation interacts with a material. These techniques are valuable for determining whether a particle is polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or another common plastic. For many studies, this information is sufficient to confirm the presence of microplastics, especially in clean samples with sufficient microplastic density.However, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/application/environmental/">environmental samples</a> are rarely clean and compositionally simple. Microplastic particles can become weathered and obscured by other materials in the environment, making their accurate identification with spectroscopy difficult. Additionally, if researchers want to understand what additives, degradation products, or pollutants are associated with the plastic, particle identification alone is not enough. Thus, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy methods alone struggle to thoroughly characterize these complex chemical components, particularly in challenging environmental matrices. As questions surrounding microplastic exposure become increasingly important, researchers require analytical techniques capable of examining the chemistry of a sample in greater detail, not simply confirming the presence of the physical particle itself.</div><div><h3>Thermal Desorption and Pyrolysis GCxGC-TOFMS For Deeper Microplastic Analysis</h3>Thermal Desorption (TD) and Pyrolysis (Py) coupled with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/core-analysis/gc-and-gc-ms/">GCxGC-TOFMS</a>) offer a powerful alternative for investigating nano- and microplastics in complex samples. These techniques provide complementary information about sample composition.&nbsp;Thermal desorption releases volatile and adsorbed compounds, including environmental contaminants, degradation products, and VOCs associated with microplastic particles. This can reveal important information about chemicals present within or on the plastic.Pyrolysis thermally deconstructs the polymeric material, breaking it into GC-amenable characteristic degradation compounds. These compounds act as chemical markers that can be used to identify the various polymers present. When analyzing complex or heavily weathered microplastics that may be difficult to characterize using traditional spectroscopic techniques, pyrolysis is particularly advantageous.The most significant benefit comes from pairing these techniques with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. Environmental samples often contain hundreds or even thousands of compounds that coelute in 1D GC-MS, making it difficult or impossible to identify each compound. GCxGC provides significantly greater separation capability, helping analysts distinguish important polymer markers from background matrix components. This enhanced separation improves the mass spectrometer’s ability to identify characteristic polymer pyrolysis products, even in highly complex environmental samples. As a result, researchers can detect and identify challenging microplastics without the extensive purification steps often required by other analytical workflows.Another unique advantage of this approach is that thermal desorption and pyrolysis can be used in series on the same sample. Together, they create a more complete chemical profile of the sample.</div><div><h3>A Powerful Microplastics Analysis Workflow for Deeper Insight into the Effects on Our Environment</h3>FTIR and Raman spectroscopy remain valuable tools for rapid screening and flagging samples containing microplastic particles. However, by combining thermal desorption, pyrolysis, and GCxGC-TOFMS, analysts can obtain a much more comprehensive view of plastics in their samples and their environmental implications. As environmental research continues to advance and concerns surrounding microplastic contamination grow, researchers will increasingly require information that extends beyond answering the question,&nbsp;“What plastic is present?”&nbsp;&nbsp;Ultimately, this deeper level of characterization can provide new insights into the environmental fate of microplastics and help scientists better understand their potential impacts on ecosystems and human exposure.</div>

Surpassing the Limits of Traditional Microplastic Analysis Methods with Thermal Desorption and Pyrolysis GCxGC-TOFMS

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 39, 2026

Article

Application

Environment

Scientific article

Science and research

Poster

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

In 1936, the Laboratory Equipment Company introduced the first rapid carbon determinator for the American iron and steel industry.  Today, almost 80 years later, LECO is recognized globally as a leader in the development of high-quality analytical instrumentation, mass spectrometers, comprehensive two-dimensional chromatography, metallography & optical equipment as well as consumables.

LECO

Agilent Technologies

Technology Networks

Phenomenex

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Shimadzu Corporation

Has this happened to you? All of your peaks were there yesterday and now suddenly today, your response for your peaks is much lower or your peaks have gone totally missing.
Join us and we provide you with some insights and strategies on how to troubleshoot missing peaks.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Alex Ucci (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
In his current position at Agilent, Alex provides application assistance and technical support for sample preparation products as well as GC and LC consumables. Before he joined Agilent in 2014, Alex was a graduate student at the Pennsylvania State University researching the morphology and surface properties of aerosol particles using a wide variety of analytical techniques. He has an MS degree in chemistry.
</blockquote>

Lost and Found: Troubleshooting Missing Peaks in GC Analysis

Cannabis pesticide testing is challenging due to the variety of pesticides analyzed, low level detection expectations and the challenging matrix that cannabis and cannabis-infused products often present.
In this webinar, Dr. Dhandapani will be presenting advances in GC manufacturing technology that can help to solve separation challenges such as analyte breakdown, peak shape, sensitivity and column bleed issues in pesticide analysis.
Dr. Kirk Jensen will present on the capabilities of the JMS-TQ4000GC triple-quadrupole GC-MS/MS and the patented short collision cell technology contained therein, followed by its performance for testing cannabis samples for pesticide content. Sample workflow, instrument parameters, and results from sample testing will also be covered.
<h4>Attend this webinar to:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Gain insight into pesticide analysis of cannabis flower using triple-quad GC-MS/MS</li>
<li>Discover the capabilities of the JMS-TQ4000GC and how it could complement your lab</li>
<li>Learn about Phenomenex GC consumables suitable for analysis of cannabis samples</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Kirk Jensen Ph.D (MS Applications Chemist, JEOL USA, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Ramkumar Dhandapani Ph.D (Global Product Manager - Gas Chromatogaphy, Phenomenex)
</blockquote>

Pixabay/Julia Teichmann: Session 2: Pesticides by GC-MS/MS (The Analytical Landscape of Cannabis Testing)

Session 2: Pesticides by GC-MS/MS (The Analytical Landscape of Cannabis Testing)

Pesticide analysis of cannabis flower using JEOL triple-quad GC-MS/MS and Phenomenex GC consumables suitable for analysis of cannabis samples.

Pesticides by GC-MS/MS (Cannabis Testing)

<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Vinay Bathineni (Business Development Manager, Sample Prep, Phenomenex India)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Vinay Bathineni holds a Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D. from JNTU University Hyderabad. He is involved in R&amp;D, management, sales, business development, and implementing method development solutions in Clinical, Bioanalytical, and Toxicology industries.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Vinay is a University Gold medalist, and published more than 10 research papers in reputable international journals. He also speaks at diverse conferences. Vinay has 9yrs of Phenomenex experience in handling the Sample prep techniques. He is now a Business Development Manager at Phenomenex India, overseeing method development for the CRO and BA/BE industries and hosts Seminars/ Webinars/ Training/ Global Coordination for all product lines that meshes into the Clinical, BA-BE, and Toxicology market segments in PAN India.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: T. Mahesh PhD (Business Development Manager - Biopharma/Biologics, Phenomenex India)
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<blockquote>
Mahesh holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from JSS University Mysore. He worked as a Senior Executive in Syngene International Bangalore and later moved to Hetero Biopharma &amp; worked as a Senior Research Associate in the Analytical Development lab. After successful 6 years of industrial experience, he joined Phenomenex in 2020 as a Business Development Manager for Biopharma division and is responsible for Seminars/webinars/training/Global coordination/market development in all product lines that go into this applied market segment PAN India
</blockquote>

Phenomenex: Coupling of Sample Prep Solutions For Increased Chromatography Sensitivity

Coupling of Sample Prep Solutions For Increased Chromatography Sensitivity

Sample Prep Solutions For Chromatography Sensitivity

Regardless of the cost of an ICP-MS as a detector it is fast becoming more commonly used by the petroleum, petrochemical, and specialty gas industries by providing information that was previously difficult, unreliable, or too expensive to obtain.
This presentation will review some of the common applications as well as a few uncommon ones. These analyses have become very important for everything from improvement in polymer manufacturing to novel medical therapeutics. Discussions will focus on trace analyses of ‘bad actors’ in high purity products as well as a few unusual applications.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Bill Geiger (Senior Partner, CONSCI)
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<blockquote>
William (Bill) Geiger has over 40 years experience in instrumental analysis. CONSCI specializes in trace analysis of gases including hard to handle, corrosive and toxic gases used in semiconductor and aerospace industries. Our lab has been providing material characterization, purity analysis, and product certification as well as helping customers define their own analytical needs has been our business for over 20 years. We find solutions to customer problems and can provide applications for even the most challenging customer requirements. Bill has made numerous presentation, app notes and other papers on gas chromatography and mass spectrometry including book chapters and coeditor on “Trace Analysis of Specialty and Electronic Gases” with Mark Raynor at Matheson Gas.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Analysis of Petroleum and Petrochemicals Using GC-ICP-MS

Analysis of Petroleum and Petrochemicals Using GC-ICP-MS

The hyphenated technique of GC-ICP-MS has always been a powerful analytical tool due to its attributes of sensitivity and specificity.

In today’s lab, software solutions that offer remote access and flexibility are more important than ever. Laboratory solutions must include an architecture to help meet today’s challenges and maintain lab productivity in an era when working from home becomes the default. Having a single software solution for your GC, LC, LC/MS and GC/MS can simplify your lab operations while eliminating the need for training on multiple software packages.
Get the most out of your Agilent single quad GC/MS system with software that combines remote access, productivity, ease of use, and data integrity in a single system.
In this webinar session, discover how to get the most out of your GC/MS by enabling remote instrument and data access in one complete solution.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Richard Mutkoski (Laboratory Informatics Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Richard Mutkoski began with Agilent (HP) in 1995. He has been an Application Engineer in Agilent’s Laboratory Informatics for the past 18 years. Prior to his career at Agilent Rich spent 12 years in a variety of small pharmaceutical firms in both R&amp;D and QA/QC capacities affording him first-hand knowledge of those workflows, bottlenecks and challenges.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: GC/MS for the Modern Age: One Software to Rule them All – LC, GC, single quad LC/MS and GC/MS

GC/MS for the Modern Age: One Software to Rule them All – LC, GC, single quad LC/MS and GC/MS

In this webinar session, discover how to get the most out of your GC/MS by enabling remote instrument and data access in one complete solution.

One Agilent Software – LC, GC, single quad LC/MS and GC/MS

The laboratory is a centralized hub of activity from sample analysis through to result generation, so it is important that processes are efficient, errors are eliminated, and regulatory requirements are adhered to. We will showcase how a modern chromatography data system (CDS) can help you realize your laboratory’s potential with best practices, tips, and tricks to help you work smarter and increase productivity while ensuring compliance.
<h3>Learning points:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Learn about the latest capabilities of Thermo Scientific Chromeleon eWorkflow procedures to deliver ease of use </li>
<li>Discover how to employ the software to increase confidence of correct component detection. </li>
<li>Learn how to drive efficiency in your lab operations while ensuring compliance</li>
</ul>
<h3>Who should attend:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Laboratory users </li>
<li>CDS power users </li>
<li>Laboratory managers </li>
<li>Quality Assurance professionals </li>
<li>CDS system administrators</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Brian Alliston (Product Marketing Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Brian Alliston is a product marketing manager with Thermo Fisher Scientific. With over 20 years’ experience of working in the pharmaceutical industry he has acted as a Data Integrity and CDS Specialist supporting a multifunctional group of quality control and development analysts in the use of Thermo Scientific Chromeleon CDS software and the development of training procedures, standard operating procedures, and product-specific report templates. Working in a QA/IT role, Brian supported projects to install Chromeleon CDS in both on-premise and cloud deployments, as well as demonstrating compliant CDS operation during several regulatory audits.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: How to boost your laboratory productivity

How to boost your laboratory productivity

Learn about the latest capabilities of Thermo Scientific Chromeleon eWorkflow procedures to deliver ease of use 

Gas Chromatography is a powerful technique for the qualification and quantification of a numerous chemical components. It is imperative to develop a robust method to achieve reproducible results in order to meet analytical goals. An in-depth knowledge of the various operating parameters and a systematic approach plays a crucial role in systematic method development.
For chromatographers, selection of suitable injection mode, column stationary phase and dimension, and detection mode based upon sample type and goals of analysis is critical for development of robust and efficient method. 
We are presenting a 3-part webinar series to discuss on the critical factors and approaches to arrive at the most efficient method:
<h3>Session 3: Developing a Robust GC Method</h3>
<ol>
<li>General column selection rules of thumb</li>
<li>Systematic approaches for rugged Method Development </li>
<li>Method Optimization for Fast GC Analysis</li>
<li>Suitable columns for critical applications</li>
</ol>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr . Anshu Kumari Singh (Technical Support Manager. Chemistries &amp; Supplies division, Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Developing a Robust GC Method

Developing a Robust GC Method

General column selection rules, Systematic approaches for rugged Method Development, Method Optimization for Fast GC, Columns for critical applications.

The properties and structures of bioplastics and biodegradable plastics are very different from regular plastics.
Material identification is important for proper handling and separation. In this webinar, we go over some interesting examples of materials made of biodegradable and recycled plastics, along with technical details on their identification and differentiation.

Shimadzu: Analysis of Recycled Plastics and Biodegradable Plastics with FTIR

Analysis of Recycled Plastics and Biodegradable Plastics with FTIR

Examples of materials made of biodegradable and recycled plastics, along with technical details on their identification and differentiation.

Analysis of Recycled Plastics and Biodegradable Plastics

Oftentimes, the infrared libraries consist of spectral information of pure substance in their ideal states.
This webinar covers details on how to approach detection and measurement of degraded particles. In addition, technical details on how to prepare these sample, carry out measurement and work with libraries, along with some examples of real-world samples, are discussed.

Shimadzu: Approaches to Contaminant and Degradation Analysis with FTIR

Approaches to Contaminant and Degradation Analysis with FTIR

Details on how to approach detection and measurement of degraded particles.

Food Contact Materials (FCM) are any materials that come in contact with food during processing, storage, preparation or serving.
The safety of these FCMs must be evaluated as they can migrate into the food supply and contaminate the food with compounds like Per-and Polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), mineral oils (MOSH/MOAH), and leachables/extractables from plastics containers (bisphenol A, heavy metals).
This webinar will provide an introduction to FCMs, discuss the challenges faced by the food industry, and present the latest analytical technologies for FCMs.

Shimadzu: Food Contact Materials: GRAS* or Gross?

Food Contact Materials: GRAS* or Gross?

Introduction to FCMs, discuss the challenges faced by the food industry, and present the latest analytical technologies for FCMs.

How to boost your laboratory productivity