Mass Spectrometry & Purification Techniques
Open Access

Types and Uses of Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC – MS)

Jessica Divya Nagar^{* *}Correspondence: Jessica Divya Nagar, Department of Chemistry, University of the State of Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil, Email:

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Description

Liquid, gaseous, or solid samples can be studied using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The first step in analysis is the gas chromatograph, where a capillary column coated with a stationary (liquid or solid) phase separates the sample into its constituent components after efficiently vaporizing it into the gas phase. An inert carrier gas, such as helium, hydrogen, or nitrogen, propels the chemicals [1]. Depending on its boiling point and polarity, each compound elutes from the column at a different time as components of the mixture are separated. The retention time of a chemical is the period of elution. Complex mixtures or sample extracts containing hundreds of different chemicals can be resolved using GC [2].

The mass spectrometer uses electron or chemical ionization sources to ionize and fragment the components after they have left the GC column. Then, accelerated molecules and fragments are sent via the mass analyzer of the device, which is frequently a quadrupole or ion trap. Here, ions are divided into groups according to their various mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios. Either full scan mode, which covers a broad range of m/z ratios, or Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM) mode, which collects data for certain masses of interest, can be used for GC-MS data collecting [3].

Types of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Single quadrupole GC-MS: It is frequently referred to as GC-MS when gas chromatography is paired with a mass spectrometer that only has one quadrupole. Since these systems can be operated utilising either targeted Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM) or untargeted full scan acquisition, GC-MS is well suited to the routine analysis of samples when either targeted or untargeted analysis is required. Examples of typical uses include the detection of pesticides in food and environmental samples, the detection of drugs of abuse in biological samples, and the detection of volatile organic compounds in water samples [4].

Triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS: GC-MS/MS stands for gas chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometry system. For analyses where the maximum sensitivity is required, the triple quadrupole MS offers a higher level of selectivity and is the most appropriate method. When estimating the amount of environmental toxins or pesticides in food, this is frequently the case. The most common mode of operation for GC-MS/MS systems is Selective Reaction Monitoring (SRM). The SRM's strong selectivity aids in lowering background ion interferences and produces a high signal-to-noise ratio for superior detection capacity [5].

HRAM GC-MS/MS: A GC system can be coupled with a High Resolution Accurate Mass (HRAM) mass spectrometer to provide extensive sample characterization in a single analysis with highconfidence compound discovery, identification, and quantification. These GC-MS/MS systems provide the full-scan, high-precision HRAM capabilities only found in the most sensitive and precise mass spectrometers, along with the quantitative power of a triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS. These systems are best suited for applications that call for both precise targeted analysis and surefire identification of unknown compounds [6].

Uses of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

• Medicine

• Environmental monitoring

• Food and fragrance analysis

• Pharmaceutical applications

• Forensic applications

• Biological analysis

• Chemical warfare

• Geochemical research

• Industrial applications

Conclusion

The presence of aromatic chemicals in food and drink, such as fatty acids, esters, aldehydes, alcohols, and terpenes, can be easily determined using GC-MS. The method can also be used to identify food contamination or rotting. GC-MS can also be used to analyse a variety of oils, including lavender oil, olive oil, spearmint oil, and essential oils, as well as perfumes, scents, allergies, menthol, and syrups.The GC-MS systems from Perkin Elmer, a provider of lab and healthcare solutions, give precise data and deeper insights into a variety of identification and quantitation requirements in environmental, food, forensic, and industrial applications. The company's GC-MS systems provide very sensitive and high-throughput processing and may be used to analyse a variety of volatile and semi-volatile substances.

References

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