Fast Cryogenic Comprehensive Two-dimensional Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry: Concept, Method Optimization and Applications in the Lipid Field

The investigation is focused on the concept of fast comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC×GC-MS) separations. More in detail, a 8.9 m × 0.1 mm ID low-polarity column was used as first dimension, while a 1.1 m × 0.1 mm ID medium-polarity one was used as second dimension. The main scope of the research was to develop a high-resolution GC×GC-MS method, with an analysis time of approx. 10 min. to be used for high throughput lipid analysis. Various aspects related to method optimization are discussed, as well as separation parameters such as peak capacity (in each dimension), efficiency, peak widths, modulation ratio, and sensitivity enhancement. A series of applications are shown involving the analysis of fatty acid methyl esters in a series of edible oils The GC×GC-MS approach proposed enables high-resolution separations in a short time, as well as a considerable reduction of the consumption of gases for modulation cooling and heating.