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

Separation Science

Agilent Technologies

Impurity analysis of different grades of hydrogen has become an urgent need for users. The impurities He, Ne, N2, Ar, and CH4 will dilute H2 concentration, and CO/CO2 will decrease the lifetime of the fuel cell. The presence of trace sulfides can lead to fuel cell catalysts poisoning.
In this webinar, the speakers will deliver the total solution for hydrogen impurities analysis including five different GC configurations:
<ul>
<li>GC-TCD/FID for ppm-level total hydrocarbon analysis</li>
<li>GC-PDHID for CO2, CO, CH4, Ar, and N2 analysis at ppb level</li>
<li>GC-SCD for sulfur compounds</li>
<li>GCMS for the detection of formaldehyde</li>
<li>Micro GC for fast analysis of permanent gas</li>
</ul>
The results obtained from the flexible and diverse GC configurations show excellent performance of Agilent GC products. The solution can meet different analysis requirements of users. Speakers will also highlight the advantages of different configurations and how customers can choose the right GC products according to their own needs.
By attending this presentation you will learn about:
<ul>
<li>Regulatory considerations for high-purity hydrogen impurities</li>
<li>Different GC platforms for hydrogen impurities analysis</li>
<li>Advantages of different GC configurations</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Youjuan Zhang (Applications Chemist, Agilent Technologies, Gas Phase Separations Division)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Youjuan joined Agilent in 2013 as an education engineer and focused on providing superior service and training to customers. She joined the GPSD marketing group as an applications chemist in 2017 and her responsibility included supporting NPI and developing applications with Agilent GC/GCMS products.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Scott Hoy (Applications Chemist, Agilent Technologies, Gas Phase Separations Division)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Scott joined Agilent Technologies in 2021 following eight years of gas chromatography experience in petrochemical QC and R&amp;D. As an applications chemist in GPSD, his focus is creating GC and GCxGC solutions to meet the evolving needs of customers and markets. Scott is an active member of ASTM D02.
</blockquote>

Pixabay/Erich Westendarp: GC Solutions for Hydrogen Impurities Analysis 

GC Solutions for Hydrogen Impurities Analysis

We will deliver the total solution for hydrogen impurities analysis including five different GC configurations: GC-TCD/FID, GC-PDHID, GC-SCD, GCMS, Micro GC.

Join Agilent and GERSTEL for our annual virtual seminar discussing how you can assure safety, authenticity, and quality of alcoholic beverages. Sharing the latest in technology developments and capabilities, new applications, and customer stories. Topics include distilled beverages, wine and beer. There is something for everyone in this seminar series and we hope to see you there.
Attend live and receive an Agilent GC wine glass!
<h3>Presentation 1: Non-targeted and Targeted Analysis of Spirits Aroma/Flavor Compounds using DHS-GC(-GC)-MS</h3>
Chromatographic analysis of distilled spirits has witnessed a sea change over a recent short period of years. Previous approaches which relied on solvent extraction procedures to enrich the secondary aroma/flavor compounds from the dominant ethanol-water base, can now be replaced by solventless, automated instrumental methods. Such solventless approaches comprise Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction, Static and Dynamic Headspace and Large Volume Injection. These methods rely on the ability of a PTV (Programmable Temperature Vaporization) injector to enrich analytes of interest before transfer to the GC column, while venting unwanted matrix.
Complex GC-MS data files obtained in this way, can also be further processed by powerful filters such as Spectral Deconvolution followed by RI based isolation and verification of identities of aroma/flavor compounds. The sequential progress of the GC-MS data file through these various filters and finally into a chemometric software for investigative discrimination of samples is achieved by simple mouse clicks. This is a very attractive outcome for practicing flavor Chemists and could be regarded as the final fulfillment of what previously could only be an outcome to aspire to.
These solventless techniques can be so efficient, and sometimes give such complex GC-MS data files, that often an additional chromatographic dimension may be required, especially for detection of ultra-trace compounds. This is supplied by chromatographic heart cutting where elution segments from one column are transferred to a second column of different polarity for increased resolution. The necessary instrumental configurations required for this purpose are also available in fully automated format.
Key Learning Objectives/What attendees will learn:
<ul>
<li>Appreciation of how analysis of distilled spirits has moved into a more modern approach using solventless extraction techniques featuring full automation from sample treatment to GC injection.</li>
<li>Aroma Office in conjunction with MS Spectral Deconvolution will be introduced as a powerful combination for filtering and listing of aroma compounds from complex GC-MS data files.</li>
<li>Two-dimensional Gas Chromatography (2D-GC-GC) will also feature as a valuable tool for isolation of key compounds from interfering matrix in extremely complex data files.</li>
</ul>
Who Should Attend: Chemists and Technicians involved in aroma research and analysis
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Kevin Mac Namara (Consultant)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr Kevin Mac Namara graduated from the National University of Ireland with a speciality in synthetic organic chemistry. He later joined the Irish Government Alcohol Monopoly and subsequently moved to Irish Distillers Group in 1981 as Head of Technical Development where he established a high profile centre for distilled spirits research. When Irish Distillers merged into the global Pernod Ricard Group in 1990 he assumed a much enlarged role and represented Ireland in EU alcohol affairs for many years before retiring in 2012.
</blockquote>
<h3>Presentation 2: A Variety of Extraction Techniques Used to Determine Analytes of Interest in Distilled Spirits</h3>
Analysis of distilled spirits using GC-MS can be challenging due to the multitude of flavor and aroma compounds that exist in the predominantly ethanol-water mixture. The optimal extraction technique or techniques must be able to isolate and pre-concentrate the analytes before introduction into the GC-MS to produce meaningful data. GERSTEL offers numerous automated sample introduction and extraction techniques including Static Headspace (SHS), Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME), Thermal Desorption (TD), Dynamic Headspace (DHS), and Thin Film Solid-Phase Microextraction (TF-SPME) and Pyrolysis. GERSTEL offers additional features to each extraction technique including Multiple Headspace Sample Enrichment (MHSE) and TDx Multidesorption that can provide significantly more mass on column and lower detection limits. GERSTEL also offers unique detection capabilities with the olfactory detection port (ODP) allowing the analyst to smell compounds as they elute from the GC column. With simultaneous mass spectral detection, key odor-active compounds can be identified in complex products.
Common challenges encountered when analyzing distilled spirits include reproducibility of batches, identifying and quantifying off-odors produced during the fermentation process, and consumer satisfaction, especially in the context of competitors, to name a few. This presentation will show how GERSTEL addresses these complex challenges by having a complete “toolbox” of extraction, introduction and detection options that can be combined and optimized as needed.
Key Learning Objectives/What attendees will learn:
<ul>
<li>Theory and applicability of SHS, SPME, SBSE, TF-SPME, DHS, and pyrolysis.</li>
<li>How to decide on the most optimal extraction technique based on research challenges.</li>
</ul>
Who Should Attend: Analytical chemists in the food, flavor, fragrance, and beverage industries
<blockquote>
Presenter: Megan Harper (Applications Scientist l, GERSTEL, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Megan Harper graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry and received her Master of Science Degree in forensic science with an analytical chemistry track from Towson University in 2022. At GERSTEL, Inc., Harper applies her knowledge on sample extraction and introduction techniques to help solve complex problems for customers across the USA, including those involving distilled spirits.
</blockquote>

Pixabay/Bruno/Germany: 3rd Annual Alcoholic Beverages Virtual Symposium - Spirits

3rd Annual Alcoholic Beverages Virtual Symposium - Spirits

Non-targeted and Targeted Analysis of Spirits Aroma/Flavor Compounds using DHS-GC(-GC)-MS. Extraction Techniques Used to Determine Analytes of Interest

This Seminar is designed to help chemists and lab managers become more familiar with the workings of Agilent’s newest software - OpenLab CDS.
Participants will listen to an Agilent expert and watch a series of live demonstrations.They will have amble opportunity to ask their own specific questions during the course of this seminar. Customers that are new to OpenLab CDS or are using an older software package from Agilent such as ChemStation would benefit from seeing the future of their laboratory software.
<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: Get The Most Out of Your OpenLab CDS System – An Exploration of Agilent’s Newest Chromatography Data System

Get The Most Out of Your OpenLab CDS System – An Exploration of Agilent’s Newest Chromatography Data System

Become more familiar with the workings of Agilent’s newest software - OpenLab CDS.

Get The Most Out of Your OpenLab CDS System

Learn about the function and advantages of the new control panel including creating instruments, creating projects, activity logs, storage types and paths.
Learn the basic operations of user privileges including assigning permissions and roles, and license utilities.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Richard Mutkoski (Laboratory Informatics Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Richard Mutkoski has been a field representative for over 27 years for both hardware and software. In his current role as an Informatics Application Engineer, Rich presents technical solutions of the OpenLab suite of products to customers worldwide. Prior to his tenure at Agilent Rich spent 15 years in a variety of Pharma QA/QC and R&amp;D positions providing him a unique understanding of those workflows, bottlenecks and challenges.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Openlab CDS ChemStation Edition - Getting Started

Openlab CDS ChemStation Edition - Getting Started

Learn about the function and advantages of the new control panel including creating instruments, creating projects, activity logs, storage types and paths.

The FDA guidance for Computer System Assurance (CSA) is intended to reduce the time and effort of the Computerized System Validation (CSV) process without compromising regulatory compliance or data integrity.
The regulated life science industries generally consider the CSV process as burdensome and as a hindrance to adopting new automation technologies that could greatly improve the efficiency and productivity of their business. In this presentation we will examine the six major points of the CSA guidance and how they can be used to improve your CSV process. We will also examine Agilent’s validation services, our process efficiencies, and how we intend to integrate elements of the CSA guidance.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Michael Korbel (Sr. Compliance Consultant, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Michael has over 22 years of experience in regulated environments in the pharmaceutical and bio-tech industries. Half of Michael&#39;s career has been spent on the customer side of the industry in both IT and laboratory positions, supporting, qualifying, and validating regulated instruments and computerized systems. The other half has been spent providing consultative compliance service programs from the vendor side of the industry. His experience includes technical support and validation of both standalone and enterprise laboratory informatics systems, as well as instrument qualification, preventive maintenance, and relocation services. Michael’s current role at Agilent Technologies is to create new compliance consulting services for our regulated customers and implement them globally. Michael holds a B.S. in Biology, with minors in Chemistry and Environmental Science.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: New FDA guidance “Computer System Assurance” and Agilent Validation Service Offerings

New FDA guidance “Computer System Assurance” and Agilent Validation Service Offerings

The six major points of the CSA guidance and how they can be used to improve your CSV process.

New FDA guidance “Computer System Assurance”

Now that you are using the OpenLab CDS system, why are you still using Excel?
Unlock the incredible calculation potential of your system. You have run a triplicate injection of standards and would like to determine the percent recovery of your samples against the average of those standards. This session will introduce you to the method of being able to do just that within OpenLab CDS WITHOUT the use of Excel.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Richard Mutkoski (Laboratory Informatics Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Richard Mutkoski has been a field representative for over 27 years for both hardware and software. In his current role as an Informatics Application Engineer, Rich presents technical solutions of the OpenLab suite of products to customers worldwide. Prior to his tenure at Agilent Rich spent 15 years in a variety of Pharma QA/QC and R&amp;D positions providing him a unique understanding of those workflows, bottlenecks and challenges.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Calculate Percent Recovery of Samples in OpenLab CDS

Calculate Percent Recovery of Samples in OpenLab CDS

The method of being able to do just that within OpenLab CDS WITHOUT the use of Excel.

This seminar introduces a powerful feature in OpenLab CDS: Custom Calculator.
OpenLab CDS users or chromatographers thinking of moving to OpenLab CDS from another data system can see how this unique feature allows the addition of user defined chromatography calculations directly into the OpenLab CDS data system.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Kathleen O&#39;Dea (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Kathleen O’Dea has a 20 year history with Agilent’s OpenLab products. As an Informatics Application Engineer, Kathleen has visited customers around the world in a wide variety of market areas, helping them to select and implement OpenLab software products.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Introducing the Custom Calculator in OpenLab CDS

Introducing the Custom Calculator in OpenLab CDS

Powerful feature in OpenLab CDS: Custom Calculator.

Are you an analyst, manager, or reviewer who needs to get work done but may not be in the lab?
Especially important today, remote access is a key feature that can increase productivity, reduce compliance costs and is a key part of a disaster recovery plan. This virtual seminar introduces options for thin client technology enabling all Masshunter, ChemStation or OpenLab CDS products to be accessed outside the lab, whether this is at from nearby desks, across sites, or from home.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mike Ratto (Lab Informatics Applications Specialist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mike Ratto has been with Agilent for 29 years as a field representative for both hardware and software products. In his current role as an Informatics Application Specialist, Mike presents technical solutions of OpenLab family of products to customers all over the world.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Agilent Software products and Architecture to enable work from home options

Agilent Software products and Architecture to enable work from home options

Options for thin client technology enabling all Masshunter, ChemStation or OpenLab CDS products to be accessed outside the lab.

Agilent Software products and Architecture to enable work

Are you an analyst, manager, or reviewer who follows the social distancing guidelines but need to get work done without full access to your lab?
Especially important today, Remote Access is a key feature that can increase productivity, reduce compliance costs and can be an integral part of a disaster recovery plan. This virtual seminar introduces options using “Thin Client technology which enables all Masshunter, ChemStation or OpenLab CDS products to be accessed outside the lab, whether this is at from nearby desks, across sites, or from home.
Our learning objectives during this 1 hour session are as follows:
<ul>
<li>An introduction to “Thin Client” technology
</li>
<li>Data and instrument access options from lab, office or home with OpenLab
</li>
<li>Learn technology options that support Social Distancing in the laboratory
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mike Ratto (Lab Informatics Applications Specialist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mike Ratto has been with Agilent for 29 years as a field representative for both hardware and software products. In his current role as an Informatics Application Specialist, Mike presents technical solutions of OpenLab family of products to customers all over the world.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: OpenLab CDS/ECM Remote Access Solutions to support Social Distancing in the Lab

OpenLab CDS/ECM Remote Access Solutions to support Social Distancing in the Lab

Options using “Thin Client technology which enables all Masshunter, ChemStation or OpenLab CDS products to be accessed outside the lab.

OpenLab CDS/ECM Remote Access Solutions

Agilent has a suite of products that help you advance your laboratory operations and meet new social distancing guidelines.
Crosslab Connect can utilize data collected in OpenLab ECM to capture lab-wide instrument utilization data and present them in dashboards helping you increase efficiency with data driven decisions concerning your instrument assets. iLab operations software is a web based lab and instrument management tool that can help you schedule and share instrument resources so only a planned amount of users can use the intended space or equipment.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Melissa Zeier (Applications Expert, Lab Productivity Solutions)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Melissa has been in the drug development, testing, and laboratory services industries for approximately 15 years. She began her career in big pharma working in high throughput biomarker testing, then moved into the pre-clinical contract testing field specializing in chiral analyte method development for LC-MS/MS. Melissa transitioned to auditing GLP bioanalytical studies before exercising her expertise in the pharma and biopharma sectors as a business intelligence analyst, driving product and service development in the pre-clinical testing industry for a top 3 preclinical CRO prior to joining Agilent. Now, with Agilent, Melissa works in a presales capacity to assist with technical topics and conversations about laboratory productivity solutions. Melissa has a B.S. in Chemistry with minors in Cellular Biology and Mathematics, an M.S. in Analytical Chemistry, and an M.A. in Applied Economics.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Rick Chrisos (Account Manager, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Rick primarily works with enterprise research administration and lab operations across the United States. Dual-wielding as a newly minted member of the Informatics Product Specialist and Team Lead for iLab Operations Software Americas, Rick is responsible for designing solutions to enable his clients to digitize their lab into a virtual landscape. Outside of his role with Agilent, Rick enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle as a “New Englander” and can often be seen accompanied by his dogs. Rick holds a B.S. in Business Administration &amp; Marketing from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.​
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Advance Laboratory Operations by Measuring Instrument Utilization and Scheduling Assets to Meet Social Distancing

Advance Laboratory Operations by Measuring Instrument Utilization and Scheduling Assets to Meet Social Distancing

Suite of products that help you advance your laboratory operations and meet new social distancing guidelines.