Development of an Automated Sample Preparation and Analysis Workflow for Mycotoxin Residues in Different Food Matrices

In this report, we describe a completely automated sample preparation workflow for the extraction and screening of multi-mycotoxin residues in different food matrices (corn, wheat) by LC/MS/MS. The extraction and cleanup was performed using a GERSTEL MultiPurpose Sampler (MPS XL) followed by LC/MS/MS determination using an AB SCIEX QTRAP® 4500. The automated sample preparation workflow…

Cleanup of QuEChERS Extracts using SBSE for LC/MS/MS Determination of Pesticides in Food Products

One of the most important aspects of reducing pesticide exposure is monitoring of pesticide residues in foods. A number of analytical methods have been developed, many of them based on traditional liquid-liquid extraction in combination with GC-MS or LC-MS. The QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) sample preparation methods have been developed to…

AromaOffice: Application of a Novel Linear Retention Indices Database to a Complex Hop Essential Oil

Aroma Office 2D (Gerstel K.K.) is an integrated software approach for simultaneous processing of both retention index (RI) and mass spectral (MS) data for rapid and improved identification of flavor compounds. The program can be integrated into Agilent Chemstation Software and searches are performed using CAS numbers of candidate compounds after library searching and corresponding…

A Combination of Standard (SBSE) and Solvent-Assisted (SA-SBSE) Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction for Comprehensive Analysis of Flavor Compounds in Beverages

Standard (SBSE) and Solvent-Assisted (SA-SBSE) Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction were both applied for profiling of flavor compounds in a matrix-heavy beverage sample. Unlike standard SBSE, SA-SBSE uses a solvent swollen polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stir bar for extraction and enhanced recovery of polar compounds. After extraction compounds were recovered from both stir bars by liquid desorption (LD)…

Analysis of Beverage Samples using Thin Film Solid Phase Microextraction (TF-SPME) and Thermal Desorption GC/MS

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are enjoyed by millions of people around the globe. The aroma and flavor profiles of each product are unique and made up from a variety of semi-volatile and volatile compounds including aldehydes, ketones, acids, alcohols, terpenes, esters along with various trace level compounds. Monitoring of these compounds is a necessity for…

Automated Determination of Formaldehyde Emissions from E-Liquids by On-Sorbent Derivatization and Thermal Desorption GC/MS

A new fully automated thermal desorption (TD)-GC/MS method was developed for determination of formaldehyde and other airborne carbonyls as well as VOCs for material emission testing. The method includes an automated in-situ derivatization agent loading step prior to every sampling step, thus blank values are avoided. Pentafluorophenylhydrazine (PFPH) was used as derivatization agent and was…

Analysis of Food Samples using Thin Film Solid Phase Microextraction (TF-SPME) and Thermal Desorption GC/MS

Food products are routinely monitored for quality, authenticity, and safety. Analysis of food products may also be necessary due to off flavoro odor complaints. The aroma and flavor profiles of each product are unique and made up from a variety of semi-volatile and volatile compounds including aldehydes, ketones, acids, alcohols, terpenes, esters and other trace…

Direct Thermal Extraction Analysis of Food Packaging Material

This study describes the use of the GERSTEL MultiPurpose Sampler (MPS) fitted with a Thermal Desorption Unit (TDU) and a Cooled Injection System (CIS 4) PTV-type Inlet for the automated direct thermal extraction analysis of packaging for three different brands of crème-fi lled chocolate sandwich cookies, cheese-filled sandwich crackers and soft and chewy candy. Download…

Completely Automated Extraction and Determination of Antibiotics in Eggs using a Robotic Autosampler and LC-MS/MS Platform

Antibiotics are a class of antimicrobial veterinary drugs widely used to control disease in food producing animals including egg laying chickens. However, antibiotics can migrate into and accumulate in the egg of the chicken being treated. Eating eggs that contain antibiotic residues could provoke allergic reactions or lead to the development, or dominance of resistant…

Automating the Accurate Transfer of Viscous Samples for the Completely Automated Extraction of Mycotoxins from Edible Oils

The manual transfer of liquid samples is part of daily activities throughout the analytical laboratory. The accurate and precise transfer of liquid samples can be critical to the analytical results. Liquid samples with high viscosities pose several challenges to achieving accurate and precise delivery of desired volumes. Automating the accurate transfer of such viscous liquids…

Quantitative Analysis of Residual Solvents in Hemp Oil by Full Evaporation Headspace Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

The number of cannabis containing products, such as extracts, tinctures, edibles, waxes and oils, available in the United States has increased significantly due to changes in state law and the 2018 Farm Bill. Cannabis concentrates are legally manufactured for both medicinal and recreational use and are quickly becoming more commonly used than the Cannabis sativa…

Quantitative Analysis of Residual Pesticides in Hemp Oil Extract by Direct Liquid Injection Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

The number of cannabis containing products, such as extracts, tinctures, edibles, waxes and oils, available in the United States have increased significantly due to changes in state law and the 2018 Farm Bill. Cannabis concentrates are legally manufactured for both medicinal and recreational use and are quickly becoming the most commonly used products by consumers…

Fully Automated Determination of 3-MCPD and Glycidol in Edible Oils by GC/MS Based on the Commonly Used Methods ISO 18363-1, AOCS Cd 29c-13, and DGF C-VI 18 (10)

3-MCPD and Glycidol and especially their fatty acid esters are process contaminants that are formed, for example, when edible oils and fats are refined. At least some of the above-mentioned substances are classified as potential human carcinogens, a fact which has prompted the introduction of rules and regulations that specify tolerable daily intake values and…

Analysis of Organotin Compounds in Biological and Environmental Samples by Gas Chromatography and Pulsed Flame Photometric Detection (GC-PFPD)

Organotin compounds have a great many applications which include stabilizers, catalysts, biocides, and pesticides. One of the more significant uses was that of biocides employed as anti-fouling paint on sea-going vessels which has contributed to coastline contamination throughout the world. Although their use as a biocide in anti-fouling paint was completely banned in 2008, residual…

Analysis of 1, 2, 3-Trichloropropane by Purge and Trap Concentration and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)

1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP) was used in the past as an industrial solvent, a cleaning and degreasing agent, and in the manufacture of soil fumigants. It is currently used as a chemical intermediate in the production of other chemicals such as polysulfone liquid polymers, dichloropropene, and hexafluoropropylene. It is also used as a cross-linking agent in the…