Chiral comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with electron-capture detection applied to the analysis of chiral polychlorinated biphenyls in food samples

The feasibility of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC x GC-ECD) for the enantioseparation of chiral PCBs from other possible interfering compounds has been evaluated. Three commercially available enantioselective beta-cyclodextrin-based capillary columns (Chirasil-Dex, BGB-172 and BGB-176SE) have been tested as first-dimension columns. Three non-enantioselective stationary phases (HT-8, BPX-50 and Supelcowax-10) were combined with the enantioselective columns to allow the unambiguous determination of the enantiomers of the target chiral PCBs. Each enantioselective first-dimension column tested was able to separate into enantiomers different PCB congeners, but in all cases, the use of Supelcowax-10 as second-dimension column provided the most satisfactory results. The Chirasil-Dex x Supelcowax-10 column combination allowed the determination of the enantiomeric fraction (EF) of PCBs 84, 91, 95, 132, 136, 149, 174 and 176 in the working standard solution, while that of congener 135 was hindered. The BGB-172 x Supelcowax-10 column set allowed a proper EF determination of congeners 45, 84, 131, 132, 135, 171, 174 and 183, while that of PCB 91 was interfered with co-elutants. The column combination BGB-176SE x Supelcowax-10 allowed the determination of all congeners that this enantioselective stationary phase was able to separate into enantiomers, i.e. PCBs 45, 91, 95, 136, 149 and 176. These column combinations have also been evaluated for the simultaneous determination of the 12 congeners with a toxic equivalency factor assigned by the WHO (PCBs 77, 81, 105, 114, 118, 123, 126, 156, 157, 167, 169, 189) and the seven indicator congeners (PCBs 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180), and evaluated for the analysis of food samples.     

Determination of toxaphene enantiomers by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with electron-capture detection

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with micro electron-capture detection (GC x GC-microECD) has been evaluated for the enantioseparation of five chiral toxaphenes typically found in real-life samples (Parlar 26, 32, 40, 44 and 50). From the two enantioselective beta-cyclodextrin-based columns evaluated as first dimension column, BGB-176SE and BGB-172, the latter provided the best results and was further combined with three non-enantioselective columns in the second dimension: HT-8, BPX-50 and Supelcowax-10. The combination BGB-172 x BPX-50 was finally selected because it provided a complete separation among all enantiomers. A satisfactory repeatability and reproducibility of the retention times in both the first and the second dimension were observed for all target compounds (RSDs below 0.8%, n = 4). Linear responses in the tested range of 10-200 pg/microl and limits of detection in the range of 2-6 pg/microl were obtained. The repeatability and reproducibility at a concentration of 100 pg/microl, evaluated as the RSDs calculated for the enantiomeric fraction (EF), was better than 11% (n = 4) in all instances. The feasibility of the method developed for real-life analyses was illustrated by the determination of the enantiomeric ratios and concentration levels of the test compounds in four commercial fish oil samples. These results were compared to those obtained by heart-cut multidimensional gas chromatography using the same enantioselective column.     

Development of a switchable multidimensional/comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatographic analytical system

In this study, a new system for analysis using a dual comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/targeted multidimensional gas chromatography (switchable GC × GC/targeted MDGC) analysis was developed. The configuration of this system not only permits the independent operation of GC, GC × GC and targeted MDGC analyses in separate analyses, but also allows the mode to be switched from GC × GC to targeted MDGC any number of times through a single analysis. By incorporating a Deans switch microfluidics transfer module prior to a cryotrapping device, the flow stream from the first dimension column can be directed to either one of two second dimension columns in a classical heart-cutting operation. Both second columns pass through the cryotrap to allow solute bands to be focused and then rapidly remobilized to the respective second columns. A short second column enables GC × GC operation, whilst a longer column is used for targeted MDGC. Validation of the system was performed using a standard mixture of compounds relevant to essential oil analysis, and then using compounds present at different abundances in lavender essential oil. Reproducibility of retention times and peak area responses demonstrated that there was negligible variation in the system over the course of multiple heart-cuts, and proved the reliable operation of the system. An application of the system to lavender oil, as a more complex sample, was carried out to affirm system feasibility, and demonstrate the ability of the system to target multiple components in the oil. The system was proposed to be useful for study of aroma-impact compounds where GC × GC can be incorporated with MDGC to permit precise identification of aroma-active compounds, where heart-cut multidimensional GC-olfactometry detection (MDGC-O) is a more appropriate technology for odour assessment.     

Enantioselective stopped-flow multidimensional gas chromatography. Determination of the inversion barrier of 1-chloro-2,2-dimethylaziridine

Enantioselective stopped-flow multidimensional gas chromatography (stopped-flow MDGC) is a fast and simple technique to determine enantiomerization (inversion) barriers in the gas phase in a range of delta G#gas(T)=70-200 kJ mol(-1). After complete gas-chromatographic separation of the enantiomers in the first column, gas phase enantiomerization of the heart-cut fraction of one single enantiomer is performed in the second (reactor) column at increased temperature and afterwards this fraction is separated into the enantiomers in the third column. From the observed de novo enantiomeric peak areas a(j), the enantiomerization time t and the enantiomerization temperature T, the enantiomerization (inversion) barrier delta G#gas(T) is determined and from temperature-dependent experiments, the activation enthalpy delta H#gas and the activation entropy delta S#gas are obtained. Enantiomerization studies on chiral 1-chloro-2,2-dimethylaziridine by stopped-flow MDGC yielded activation parameters of nitrogen inversion in the gas phase, i.e., delta G#gas(353 K)=110.5+/-0.5 kJ mol(-1), delta H#gas=71.0+/-3.8 kJ mol(-1) and delta S#gas=-109+/-11 J mol(-1) K(-1). By the complementary method of dynamic gas chromatography (GC), the apparent enantiomerization (inversion) barrier of 1-chloro-2,2-dimethylaziridine in the gas-liquid biphase system was found delta G#app(353 K)=108 kJ mol(-1). The values obtained by stopped-flow MDGC in the gas phase were used to calculate the activation parameters of nitrogen inversion of 1-chloro-2,2-dimethylaziridine in the liquid phase in the presence of the chiral selector Chirasil-nickel(II), i.e.. deltaG#liq(353 K)=106.0+/-0.4 kJ mol(-1), delta H#liq=68.3+/-1.4 kJ mol(-1) and deltaS#liq=-106+/-3.0 J mol(-1) K(-1).     

Two multidimensional chromatographic methods for enantiomeric analysis of o,p′-DDT and o,p′-DDD in contaminated soil and air in a malaria area of South Africa

In rural parts of South Africa the organochlorine insecticide DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) is still used for malaria vector control where traditional dwellings are sprayed on the inside with small quantities of technical DDT. Since o,p′-DDT may show enantioselective oestrogenicity and biodegradability, it is important to analyse enantiomers of o,p′-DDT and its chiral degradation product, o,p′-DDD, for both health and environmental-forensic considerations. Generally, chiral analysis is performed using heart-cut multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC) and, more recently, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC). We developed an off-line gas chromatographic fraction collection (heart-cut) procedure for the selective capturing of the appropriate isomers from a first apolar column, followed by reinjection and separation on a second chiral column. Only the o,p′-isomers of DDT and DDD fractions from the first dimension complex chromatogram (achiral apolar GC column separation) were selectively collected onto a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) multichannel open tubular silicone rubber trap by simply placing the latter device on the flame tip of an inactivated flame ionisation detector (FID). The multichannel trap containing the o,p′-heart-cuts was then thermally desorbed into a GC with time-of-flight mass spectrometry detection (GC–TOFMS) for second dimension enantioselective separation on a chiral column (β-cyclodextrin-based). By selectively capturing only the o,p′-isomers from the complex sample chromatogram, ¹D separation of ultra-trace level enantiomers could be achieved on the second chiral column without matrix interference. Here, we present solventless concentration techniques for extraction of DDT from contaminated soil and air, and report enantiomeric fraction (EF) values of o,p′-DDT and o,p′-DDD obtained by a new multidimensional approach for heart-cut gas chromatographic fraction collection for off-line second dimension enantiomeric separation by ¹D GC–TOFMS of selected isomers. This multidimensional method is compared to the complementary technique of comprehensive GC × GC–TOFMS using the same enantioselective column, this time as the first dimension of separation.     

Enantioseparation and determination of 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxamide and corresponding acid in the bioconversion broth by gas chromatography

A simple and sensitive method employing gas chromatography was developed for the enantioseparation and determination of 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxamide and its acid in the bioconversion broth. Samples were recovered in high yield by extracting the broth with equal volumes of ethyl acetate twice. Separation of the four enantiomers was performed on a gamma-cyclodextrin based chiral column BGB-175. The effect of column flow rate and temperature on the retention and resolution of the enantiomers was investigated. The proposed method exhibited good linearity, repeatability and precision, and was successfully used to monitor and control the bioconversion process of 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxamide.     

Time-resolved cryogenic modulation for targeted multidimensional capillary gas chromatography analysis

Multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC) is performed in a new manner, described in this paper. The method incorporates two directly coupled columns and employs a longitudinally modulated cryogenic trap located between the columns. No heartcutting process is used, but rather a method better termed selected zone compression pulsing is used. Compared with normal MDGC, where primary column effluent has to be temporarily diverted either to a monitor detector or to the second dimension column, the new procedure in its simplest mode passes all of the first column effluent to the second column. It is simply the times at which the modulation of the trap is performed that determines which target solutes will be selected for enhanced separation. This approach allows almost instantaneous separation of selected zones on the second column, and has the potential to significantly simplify the MDGC method. Since data are presented in a time-response format, and do not require transformation as previously described for comprehensive GC when using the longitudinal modulator, quantitation and report generation are essentially the same as in any GC method and data system. Advantages also include significant sensitivity improvement. By using cryofocussing, and benefiting from the zone compression effects along with fast GC conditions on the second dimension, new possibilities for MDGC can be realised. The method is demonstrated by using a mixture of semi-volatile aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Enantiomer separation of polychlorinated biphenyl atropisomers and polychlorinated biphenyl retention behavior on modified cyclodextrin capillary gas chromatography columns

Seven commercially-available chiral capillary gas chromatography columns containing modified cyclodextrins were evaluated for their ability to separate enantiomers of the 19 stable chiral polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) atropisomers, and for their ability to separate these enantiomers from achiral congeners, necessary for trace environmental analysis of chiral PCBs. The enantiomers of each of the 19 chiral PCBs were at least partially separated on one or more of these columns. Enantiomeric ratios of eleven atropisomers could also be quantified on six columns as they did not coelute with any other congener containing the same number of chlorine atoms, so could be quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Analysis of a lake sediment heavily contaminated with PCBs showed enantioselective occurrence of PCB 91, proof positive of enantioselective in situ reductive dechlorination at the sampling site.     

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography in the screening of persistent organohalogenated pollutants in environmental samples

Separations of eight persistent organohalogenated classes of pollutants, organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) and toxaphene (CTT) by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) were evaluated. Columns with different polarity and selectivity, including ZB-5, HT-8, DB-17 and BP-10, were selected as first dimension and combined with columns of increasing polarity in the second dimension, i.e. HT-8, BPX-50 and Carbowax (or Supelcowax-10). In total nine column combinations were tested. Because the main interest of the study was fast screening of the test xenobiotic families in complex matrices, in all cases, attention was primarily focussed on group-type separation. Nevertheless, within-group separation was also considered, especially for those classes containing particularly toxic congeners, such as PCBs and PCDD/Fs. Although none of the assayed column sets allowed the simultaneous and complete separation of all pollutants classes, some column combinations provided satisfactory separations among selected families and the rest of pollutants investigated. That was, for instance, the case of HT-8 x BPX-50 for PBDEs and PCDD/Fs, DB-17 x HT-8 for PCNs and OCPs and BP-10 x BPX-50 for CTT, PCDD/Fs and PBDEs. The feasibility of the proposed approach for the fast screening of the target classes of pollutants in complex samples was illustrated by the analysis of food and marine fat samples prepared using simplified miniaturised sample treatment methods.     

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography applied to illicit drug analysis

Multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC), and especially its latest incarnation—comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC)—have proved advantageous over and above classic one-dimensional gas chromatography (1D GC) in many areas of analysis by offering improved peak capacity, often enhanced sensitivity and, especially in the case of GC × GC, the unique feature of ‘structured’ chromatograms. This article reviews recent advances in MDGC and GC × GC in drug analysis with special focus on ecstasy, heroin and cocaine profiling. Although 1D GC is still the method of choice for drug profiling in most laboratories because of its simplicity and instrument availability, GC × GC is a tempting proposition for this purpose because of its ability to generate a higher net information content. Effluent refocusing due to the modulation (compression) process, combined with the separation on two ‘orthogonal’ columns, results in more components being well resolved and therefore being analytically and statistically useful to the profile. The spread of the components in the two-dimensional plots is strongly dependent on the extent of retention ‘orthogonality’ (i.e. the extent to which the two phases possess different or independent retention mechanisms towards sample constituents) between the two columns. The benefits of ‘information-driven’ drug profiling, where more points of reference are usually required for sample differentiation, are discussed. In addition, several limitations in application of MDGC in drug profiling, including data acquisition rate, column temperature limit, column phase orthogonality and chiral separation, are considered and discussed. Although the review focuses on the articles published in the last decade, a brief chronological preview of the profiling methods used throughout the last three decades is given.     

Dynamic interconversion of chiral oxime compounds in gas chromatography

A number of chiral oxime compounds have been synthesised and their gas chromatographic analysis on both a polyethelene glycol phase column and two chiral column phases was investigated. Of particular interest to this work is the observation of dynamic interconversion behaviour, both in a single dimensional analysis, and by using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC). A number of non-chiral compounds were studied as a means to understand the nature of the behaviour observed. As expected, the achiral compound on both the wax column and the chiral column generated two isomeric compounds—the E and Z isomers. On the wax column, a characteristic interconversion zone representing the dynamic process was observed, with extent of interconversion dependent on the conditions used. For the chiral compounds, two isomers and the interconversion zone were exhibited on the wax column, however on the chiral column 4 isomeric peaks were found—the (R) and (S) enantiomers of each of the E and Z isomers. In the case of the chiral column, the extent of interconversion was negligible, and this appears to correlate with the use of low polarity columns. In order to encourage dynamic interconversion, a polyethylene glycol column was coupled to the chiral column, by placing it either before or after the chiral column. In this case a monitor detector was employed between the two columns in order to isolate the effects of the first column from the behaviour on the second. In a further study, the most appropriate column arrangement from the earlier study was placed into a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography instrument, with a wax-phase column in the second dimension. The unique location of peaks for each of the molecules in 2D space and patterns for the interconversion processes is interpreted phenomenologically.     

Some applications of multidimensional gas chromatography to the enrichment of minor components in essential oil analysis

The use of multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC) for the analysis of essential oils is gaining in importance. A rarely used application consists in the enrichment of minor components through a MDGC system provided with a cold trap between trap column and analytical column. Under suitable conditions, in fact, the cold-trap can store a trapped compound (or a fraction) for a long time. Consequently, the same fraction can be heart-cut from several successive chromatographic runs on the first column and stored together in order to accumulate trace compounds; afterwards the accumulated fraction can be injected in the analytical column. The possibilities of this technique will illustrated through some examples of analysis of complex essential oils.     

Overloading of the second-dimension column in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) is based on a coupling of two GC columns of different characteristics by means of a device that allows portions of the effluent from the primary column to be injected onto the second dimension column for an additional separation. The time available for the separation in the second-dimension column is very short. Thus, this separation should be very efficient. The vast majority of GC x GC practitioners use very narrow bore columns for the second dimension. While this approach is justified in principle, if peaks in the second dimension overload this column, its peak capacity is severely reduced. A series of second-dimension columns of varying internal diameters, but similar phase ratios, were used to study these effects. The results indicate that 250 microm columns often provide comparable second dimension peak widths to 100 microm columns, while at the same time being less prone to overloading, indicating that they may often be a better choice than smaller diameter columns in the second dimension of GC x GC systems.     

Multidimensional gas chromatography using a double cool-strand interface

Commercial interfaces for multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC) are based either on a valve or a pneumatic switching between columns. Both exhibit significant drawbacks and only few suppliers exist. An extremely simple interface has been set up to overcome these limitations without requiring any pneumatic control or valves switching. This new MDGC design is based on the cryo-control of the analyte transfer from the first to the second column through two cool strands of a capillary. This technique is simple to implement and does not require any special column connections. Applications involve non-polar/polar phase combinations, as well as chiral analysis, hyphenation to a conventional mass spectrometer, and olfactometric detection. In contrast to conventional MDGC configuration, the present configuration allows the use of a single oven to operate both columns at different temperatures.     

Molecular interconversion behaviour in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) is shown to provide information on dynamic molecular behaviour (interconversion), with the interconversion process occurring on both columns in the coupled-column experiment. The experiment requires suitable adjustment of both experimental conditions and relative dimensions of each of the columns. In this case, a longer column than normally employed in GC x GC allows sufficient retention duration on the second column, which permits the typical plateau-shape recognised for the interconversion process to be observed. The extent of interconversion depends on prevailing temperature, retention time, and the phase type. Polyethylene glycol-based phases were found to result in high interconversion kinetics, although terephthalic acid-terminated polyethylene glycol had a lesser extent of interconversion. Much less interconversion was seen for phenyl-methylpolysiloxane and cyclodextrin phases. This suggests that for the oximes, interconversion largely occurs in the stationary phase. Examples of different extents of interconversion in both dimensions are shown, including peak coalescence on the first column with little interconversion on the second column.     

Real-time control of column switching in multidimensional gas chromatography

In chromatography the separation power expressed in terms of peak capacity can be greatly enhanced by multidimensional techniques. The most important aspect of multidimensional chromatography is the precise location of the heart-cut window. Very often the reliability of this positioning is ensured by applying relatively large heart-cuts; this reduces the intrinsic selectivity offered by the technique. The best way of locating peaks in chromatography is by means of retention indices. This technique can also be used in multidimensional chromatography. A method is described whereby the heartcut window in multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC) can be defined precisely.     

基于微机电系统的微型气相色谱柱研究进展

气相色谱柱是气相色谱仪的关键部件,主要用于混合气体组分的分离。与传统气相色谱柱相比,基于微机电系统（MEMS）技术设计制作的微型气相色谱柱具有重量轻、体积小、功耗低、分离快速等优点,便于集成到便携式气相色谱仪中,适应了目前气相色谱仪微型化的发展趋势。该文综述了MEMS微型气相色谱柱的研究进展,首先阐述了MEMS微型气相色谱柱理论基础,随后对MEMS微型气相色谱柱沟道布局及柱内结构、固定相支撑层及固定相制备等方面进行了综述,最后对其发展趋势进行了展望。     

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography of polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with micro electron-capture detection (GCxGC-muECD) was evaluated for the separation of 125 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). From among the six column combinations that were evaluated, DB-1x007-65HT was found to be the most suitable because of: (i) the highest number of BDE congeners separated; (ii) the least decomposition of higher brominated congeners; and (iii) the most suitable maximum operating temperature. The separation of the 125 BDE congeners from five hydroxy- and two methoxy-BDEs and nine other brominated flame retardants (polybrominated biphenyls, tetrabromobisphenol-A, methyl-tetrabromobisphenol-A and hexabromocyclododecane) was also studied. Fluorinated BDEs were found to be valuable internal standards for the determination of BDEs because of their very similar physico-chemical properties and excellent separation from the parent BDEs, mainly in the second dimension. GCxGC-time-of-flight MS and GCxGC-muECD were shown to be useful tools to identify decomposition products of nona- and deca-substituted BDEs, which are formed during the GC run. Three nona-BDEs were shown to be the major decomposition products of BDE 209.     

Separation of seventeen 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans and 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with electron-capture detection

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) with electron-capture detection (ECD) has been optimized for the separation of seventeen 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans and 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, with emphasis on the selection of the first- and second-dimension, commercially available, columns. When eight second-dimension columns were subsequently combined with a 100% methylpolysiloxane stationary phase (DB-1) in the first dimension to create orthogonal conditions, a complete separation of all congeners with different TEF values was obtained with two column combinations, DB-1 x VF-23 and DB-1 x LC-50. When other types of first-dimension columns were used (and orthogonality was partly sacrificed), a DB-XLB column combined with 007-65HT, VF-23 and LC-50 was found to provide a complete separation of all 29 priority congeners. Next, the potential of these three column combinations for real-life analysis was preliminarily studied. With a spiked and fractionated milk extract, DB-XLB x LC-50 was found to be the most powerful column combination, because of the good separation of the 29 priority congeners from each other as well as from the matrix constituents. Quantitative performance (close to three-order linearity; LODs, 30-150 fg injected; R.S.D.s, 1.5-6.5% (n = 10)) was satisfactory.