Analysis of Fruit Commodities by GC-TOFMS and GCxGC-TOFMS Using QuEChERS Approach

Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOFMS) provides a valuable solution through its ability to acquire full range mass spectra without sacrificing speed or sensitivity. There is no need for SIM to enhance detection limits. TOFMS offers fast acquisition speeds (up to 500 full mass range spectra/second) and spectral continuity, allowing optimum performance of the mass spectral deconvolution algorithms ® incorporated into the LECO ChromaTOF software, which add an extra dimension of qualitative analysis to complex samples.

The fast acquisition rates of TOFMS also support the use of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC). GCxGC provides increased peak capacity and resolution, which is very beneficial when analyzing samples with complex matrices. In addition, GCxGC provides an increase in analyte detectability through the cryo-focusing effects of thermal modulation. The need for a fast detector is due to the extremely narrow peak widths typical of thermally modulated GCxGC peaks, usually on the order of 50 to 100 ms wide. When MS is combined with GCxGC, only TOF can achieve the necessary acquisition rates.

This poster highlights the increased peak capacity of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography, which can minimize the need for extensive sample cleanup methods. GC and GCxGC TOFMS analysis of fruit commodities is shown, with the emphasis being on GCxGC-TOFMS . QuEChERS sample extraction was used to facilitate pesticide screening.