GCMS with Femtogram Level Sensitivity

Shimadzu Scientific Instruments announces the release of the new GCMS-TQ8050 triple quadrupole gas chromatograph mass spectrometer. The new GC-MS/MS is based on Shimadzu’s continually advancing smart technologies that enable it to achieve new possibilities in sensitivity, durability, performance, stability, and reliability.

The instrument’s newly designed high-sensitivity detector offers an instrument detection limit (IDL) approximately 10 times more sensitive than the current system, enabling reliable detection of femtogram-level (parts per quadrillion) concentrations of trace components. Coupled with improved long-term stability due to high amplification levels and reduced noise levels, the GCMS-TQ8050 is ideal for analysts who require the most reliable trace analysis results. This includes analysis of extremely small quantities of dioxin in foods and the environment, POPs components, endocrine disrupting chemicals, impurities in pharmaceuticals, and banned drugs in hair samples.

The GCMS-TQ8050 system features a new turbomolecular pump and high-efficiency collision cell to further enable a wide variety of high-sensitivity analyses. Since the new pump offers higher evacuation efficiency, a more stable vacuum system can maintain high vacuum levels even during MRM analysis using a collision gas. Shimadzu’s proprietary UFsweeper technology helps to conduct MRM analysis speeds up to 800 transitions per second. In addition, a high-efficiency ion source creates maximum possible sensitivity and repeatability by generating and transmitting ions directly to the detector. Durable hardware, such as the ion source and long-life detector, reduce maintenance frequency and costs for long-term use.

Two smart technologies, Smart MRM and Smart Database, enable the GCMS-TQ8050 to achieve high accuracy from method creation to data analysis. With the Smart MRM function, analysts can automatically create methods with which data is acquired only during the elution time of the target components. Smart Database provides preregistered information about optimal transitions, meaning optimized methods can be created without having to evaluate analytical conditions.

In addition to Smart MRM and Smart Database, LabSolutions Insight software provides analysts with multi-analyte data review, color-coded quantitative flags, and a status review function. These smart processing features allow users to review, record and report analysis results faster and with higher accuracy.