Question 1

What are the principles of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry?

Accepted Answer

Gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS) are two analytical techniques that are combined to achieve precise and reliable volatile and semi-volatile organic molecules analysis. GC is a technique that separates complex mixtures into individual components so they can be identified and quantified. When coupled with the detection capabilities of MS, it can be used to quantify analytes, identify unknown peaks, and determine trace levels of contamination. GC-MS testing is a powerful technique and a preferred method for the analysis of small and volatile molecules. It’s also well-recognized for its ability to conduct unknown compound analysis and multi-component quantitation.

Question 2

Why is gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry?

Accepted Answer

Combining the capabilities of GC with MS offers users enhanced sensitivity and compound identification. This two-part analysis leverages the highly sensitive detection technique afforded by MS, allowing GC-MS to evaluate the ionized compounds of a sample and measure the intensity of each ion.

Question 3

What are the benefits of GC-MS testing?

Accepted Answer

GC-MS analysis offers incredible sensitivity, analyzing mere traces of existing molecules. This offers its users cutting-edge precision across numerous industries and applications. GC-MS testing separates and quantifies multi-component samples and complex matrices and can identify unknown compounds of particular importance in multiple industries including pharmaceuticals and food and beverage.

Question 4

Is GC-MS analysis qualitative or quantitative?

Accepted Answer

One of the reasons that GC-MS analysis is widely accepted as the gold standard is that it can perform both qualitative analysis, whereby it identifies compounds, and quantitative analysis, meaning it measures their concentrations, too. As this mode of testing gives its users precise and detailed analysis of both the molecular composition and the respective quantities, GC-MS analysis is popular in many industries including forensic science, food, environmental testing, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals and cosmetics.

Question 5

What is the process of GC-MS testing?

Accepted Answer

GC-MS analysis starts with a sample mixture being injected into the injection port – the GC phase of the process. It’s then vaporized into gaseous compounds and flows into a thermally controlled column via carrier gas before being separated into individual compounds. The separated compounds are then eluted from the column and are immediately ionized and fragmented based on their mass-to-charge ratios so the intensity of each ion can be measured. This is the MS phase of the analysis. Ion intensities are recorded against the mass-to-charge ratio and are displayed via a series of mass spectrometers. To sum up the intensities of each mass spectral peak in the sample, the GC-MS produces a mass chromatogram, which offers users in all industries precise and accurate qualitative and quantitative data on the sample they are testing.

Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometry

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