Boosting the odour perception of trace compounds exploiting three-dimensional GC-O with MS/FID simultaneous detection

The study describes the effectiveness of a 3D GC system coupled with olfactometric detection and simultaneous MS and FID (3DGC-O-MS/FID) to improve the detection of odorants. Mega-bore columns were used to ensure a sample capacity able to enhance the odour perception. The heart-cut approach allowed to overcome the low efficiency of wide-bore columns, granting to purify enriched target fractions before olfactometry detection. After the third GC dimension, the isolated target peaks were eluted to the olfactometric port allowing the odour to last multiple seconds, making the panelist’s perception easier and more comfortable. The simultaneous FID/MS detection after the third GC dimension allowed to match specific odours to target molecules and their concentration in the sample. The 3DGC-O-MS/FID system boosts odour perception of trace components compared to conventional GC-O approaches. A reduced detection threshold of mg/kg levels was obtained compared to the mg/kg levels typical of monodimensional GC-O.