Achieving high peak capacity production for gas chromatography and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography by minimizing off-column peak broadening

By taking into consideration band broadening theory and using those results to select experimental conditions, and also by reducing the injection pulse width, peak capacity production (i.e., peak capacity per separation time) is substantially improved for one dimensional (1D-GC) and comprehensive two dimensional (GC×GC) gas chromatography. A theoretical framework for determining the optimal linear gas velocity (the linear gas velocity producing the minimum H), from experimental parameters provides an in-depth understanding of the potential for GC separations in the absence of extra-column band broadening. The extra-column band broadening is referred to herein as off-column band broadening since it is additional band broadening not due to the on-column separation processes. The theory provides the basis to experimentally evaluate and improve temperature programmed 1D-GC separations, but in order to do so with a commercial 1D-GC instrument platform, off-column band broadening from injection and detection needed to be significantly reduced. Specifically for injection, a resistively heated transfer line is coupled to a high-speed diaphragm valve to provide a suitable injection pulse width (referred to herein as modified injection). Additionally, flame ionization detection (FID) was modified to provide a data collection rate of 5kHz. The use of long, relatively narrow open tubular capillary columns and a 40°C/min programming rate were explored for 1D-GC, specifically a 40m, 180μm i.d. capillary column operated at or above the optimal average linear gas velocity. Injection using standard auto-injection with a 1:400 split resulted in an average peak width of ～1.5s, hence a peak capacity production of 40peaks/min. In contrast, use of modified injection produced ～500ms peak widths for 1D-GC, i.e., a peak capacity production of 120peaks/min (a 3-fold improvement over standard auto-injection). Implementation of modified injection resulted in retention time, peak width, peak height, and peak area average RSD%'s of 0.006, 0.8, 3.4, and 4.0%, respectively. Modified injection onto the first column of a GC×GC coupled with another high-speed valve injection onto the second column produced an instrument with high peak capacity production (500-800peaks/min), ～5-fold to 8-fold higher than typically reported for GC×GC.     

全二维气相色谱-电子捕获检测器法分析土壤中毒杀芬同类物的残留

建立了全二维气相色谱-电子捕获检测器(GC× GC-μECD)检测土壤中毒杀芬同类物的分析方法.以非极性的DB- XLB(20 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μm)为第一色谱柱,中等极性的BPX-50(2 m×0.1 mm×0.1 μm)为第二色谱柱,对土壤中23种高关注毒杀芬同类物进行了分离鉴定,并采用基质曲线外标法进行定量分析.本方法在1～200,μg/L浓度范围内,毒杀芬同类物的线性相关系数(r2)均大于0.99,方法检出限(S/N=3)为0.039～0.482 μg/L,基质加标毒杀芬同类物的回收率为55％～115％,相对标准偏差(RSD)均小于30％(n=5).利用本方法对毒杀芬污染的土壤样品进行了测定,获得了较好的分离效果.     

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.     

Determination of epoxidized soybean oil by gas chromatography/single quadrupole and tandem mass spectrometry stable isotope dilution assay

PVC lids of glass jars often contain epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO), able to migrate and contaminate food. To establish a stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA), the 13C18-labelled internal standard ethyl 9,10,12,13-diepoxyoctadecanoate (13C(18:2E)Et) was synthesized, providing after sample preparation the same retention time as methyl 9,10,12,13-diepoxyoctadecanoate ((18:2E)Me), commonly used as a marker for ESBO in gas chromatographic (GC) analysis. For eleven different food matrices, the GC capillary columns VF-17ms, DB1701 and DB1 were tested with single quadrupole (GC/MS) as well as tandem mass spectrometric detection (GC/MS/MS). Overall, the VF-17ms column coupled with MS/MS detection showed the best results in terms of separation and sensitivity. The method validation for the matrix spiked olive oil resulted in a limit of detection (LOD) of 5 mg kg-1, a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 11 mg kg-1, a mean recovery (n=5, c=106.5 mg kg-1) of 99.7+/-5.5%, with a repeatability (within-run precision) of 6.0%. By means of GC/MS an LOQ of 21 mg kg-1 and a mean recovery (n=5, c=106.5 mg kg-1) of 103.3+/-0.8% with a repeatability of 0.9% were determined.     

Development of a high performance liquid chromatography method and a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method with pressurized liquid extraction for simultaneous quantification and confirmation of cyromazine, melamine and its metabolites in foods of animal origin

Simple and sensitive methods have been developed for simultaneous detection of cyromazine, melamine and their metabolites (ammeline, ammelide and cyanuric acid) in samples of animal origins. These include a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method and a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method and are useful in regular monitoring and in toxicity studies of these molecules. Representative samples used in this study include muscles and livers of swine, bovine, sheep and chicken, kidneys of swine, bovine and sheep, and milk powder. A new sample preparation procedure with pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) at 1400psi and 70°C was investigated. Quantification of these five compounds by HPLC was achieved using an APS-2 column with UV detection at 230 nm. Limit of detection (LOD) was at 10 μgkg(-1), and limit of quantification (LOQ) was at 40 μgkg(-1). Recoveries of the five analytes in spiked samples ranged from 72.2% to 115.4% with RSD less than 12%. Confirmatory analysis of the analytes was performed using LC-MS/MS in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The LOD and LOQ were 5 μgkg(-1) and 15 μgkg(-1), respectively. This is the first simultaneous analysis of cyromazine, melamine, ammeline, ammelide and cyanuric acid residues in complex tissue samples using PLE and HPLC. It is expected that these methods will find many practical applications in evaluating the safety of cyromazine, melamine and their metabolites.     

水中痕量苯酚的微波萃取气相色谱分析

A method of microwave-assisted extraction and gas chromatography for determination of trace phenol in water was established.The conditions of microwave extraction and derivation were optimized.Acetone-cyclohexane(1∶1) mixture was used as extracting agent for water sample containing phenol and acetic anhydride was employed for the direct acetylation of phenol.Petroleum ether was used as the extracting agent to extract the derivative of phenol.Detection was carried out in GC-FID equipped with DB-17(30 m×0.53 ...     

Global approach for the selection of high temperature comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography experimental conditions and quantitative analysis in regards to sulfur-containing compounds in heavy petroleum cuts

Extending the knowledge on sulfur-containing compounds is crucial for the petroleum industry because they contribute to atmospheric pollution by combustion. Most of them are concentrated in heavy petroleum cuts, such as vacuum gas oils (VGOs). However, the resolution of the existing analytical methods does not allow a quantitative speciation of S-compounds contained in VGOs. Therefore, a high temperature GC×GC chromatograph hyphenated to a SCD was implemented in this study to obtain a quantitative S-compounds speciation. Firstly, various thermally stable stationary phases, in particular the new ionic liquid IL59 and Mega Wax-HT, were investigated in 1D-GC as a way to reduce the number of columns sets to be used in GC×GC. Consequently, several normal and reversed configurations of these columns were selected and tested in GC×GC. Then, a decision method was applied to facilitate the choice of the best combination of columns. Finally, the most adapted methods led to an innovative group type quantification and to a quantitative distribution of heavy sulfur species contained in a VGO sample. These results represent a major step towards the study of S-compounds in heavy petroleum cuts.     

Investigation of sulphur compounds in coal tar using monodimensional and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Coal is a non renewable fossil fuel, used mainly as a source of electrical energy and in the production of coke. It is subjected to thermal treatment, pyrolysis, which produces coke as a main product, in addition to a condensed liquid by-product, called tar. Tar is a complex mixture of organic compounds which contains different chemical classes, presenting aromatic and sulphur heterocyclic compounds. In general, identification of these compounds requires steps of isolation and fractionation, mainly due to co-elution of these compounds with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The objective of this work is to characterize the sulphur compounds present in the coal tar obtained via pyrolysis, using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry detector (GC×GC/TOFMS). Coal samples from the State of Paraná, Brazil were subjected to laboratorial scale pyrolysis. Several experimental conditions were tested, such as sample weight (5, 10 and 15g), heating ramp (10, 25 and 100°C/min) and final temperature (500, 700 and 900°C). Samples were analyzed by one dimensional gas chromatography (1D-GC) coupled to a quadrupole mass spectrometry detector (GC/qMS) and two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry detector (GC×GC/TOFMS). The higher amount of sulphur compounds was obtained at a final temperature of 700°C and a heating ramp of 100°C/min. The main classes observed in the color plot were thiophenes, benzothiophenes and alkylated dibenzothiophenes. GC×GC/TOFMS allowed the identification of the greater number of compounds and the separation of several sulphur compounds from one another. Moreover, separation of sulphur compounds from polyaromatic hydrocarbons and phenols was achieved, which was not possible by 1D-GC. Comparing GC×GC/TOFMS and 1D-GC (SIM mode) also showed that 1D-GC, one of the most employed quantification tools for sulphur compounds, can be misleading for detection, identification and quantification, as the number of isomers of sulphur compounds found was greater than theoretically possible.     

Determination of zidovudine using anion exchange chromatography with integrated pulsed amperometric detection

A rapid and practical method for direct detection of zidovudine in high performance anion exchange chromatography(HPAEC) has been developed with integrated pulsed amperometric detection(IPAD).Dionex AS 18(250 mm×2 mm) and AG 18 (50 mm x 2 mm) columns and 11 mmol/L NaOH solution were used for separation.Multi-step potential waveform parameters were optimized to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio(S/N).Utilizing an optimized waveform,the repeatability(intra-day) precision and intermediate(inter-day) precision are obtained with relative standard deviation(RSD) of 1.88,2.27,respectively.The limit of quantification(LOQ) and limit of detection(LOD) were found to be 9.70,3.0 ng/mL,respectively,with correlation coefficients of 0.9992 over concentration range 0.01-10μg/mL.The present method was successfully applied to the determination of zidovudine in human plasma.The recoveries of plasma sample spiked by 0.7μg/mL,2.7μg/mL obtained were 95.3-101.5%, with relative standard deviation(RSD) of 2.54%,2.21%,respectively.     

Feasibility of gas chromatography-microchip atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry in analysis of anabolic steroids

Mass spectrometers equipped with atmospheric pressure ion sources (API-MS) have been designed to be interfaced with liquid chromatographs (LC) and have rarely been connected to gas chromatographs (GC). Recently, we introduced a heated nebulizer microchip and showed its potential to interface liquid microseparation techniques and GC with API-MS. This study demonstrates the feasibility of GC-microchip atmospheric pressure photoionization-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-μAPPI-MS/MS) in the analysis of underivatized anabolic steroids in urine. The APPI microchip provides high ionization efficiency and produces abundant protonated molecules or molecular ions with minimal fragmentation. The feasibility of GC-μAPPI-MS/MS in the analysis of six selected anabolic steroids in urine samples was studied with respect to intra-batch repeatability, linearity, linear range, and limit of detection (LOD). The method showed good sensitivity (LODs 0.2-1 ng/mL), repeatability (relative standard deviation<10%), and linearity (regression coefficient≥0.9995) and, therefore, high potential for the analysis of anabolic steroids. Quantitative performance of the method was tested with two authentic urine samples, and the results were in good agreement with those obtained with conventional GC-electron ionization-MS after derivatization.     

Design of a compressed air modulator to be used in comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatography and its application in the determination of pesticide residues in grapes

In this study, a new modulator that is simple, robust and presents low operation costs, was developed. This modulator uses compressed air to cool two small portions in the first centimeters of the second chromatographic column of a comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) system. The results show a variation in the peak area less than 3 and 5% to alkanes and pesticides, respectively. The standard deviations for the retention times in the first and second dimension are around 0.05 min and 0.05 s for all the compounds. The system was optimized with n-alkanes. The GC × GC system proposed was applied in the determination of pyrethroid pesticides (bifenthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, fenvalerate, esfenvalerate, cis- and trans-permethrin) in grape samples. Samples were extracted by the mini-Luke modified method and pesticides were quantified by comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatography with micro electron-capture detection (μECD). The values of method limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.01–0.02 mg kg⁻¹ for all studied pyrethroid and the values of recovery were between 94.3 and 115.2%, with good precision (RSD < 18.4%), demonstrating that the performance of the total method consisting of a modified Luke extraction method and determination by GC × GC-μECD are satisfactory. This study also showed that the system using a modulator with a double jet of compressed air has the potential for application in the analysis of a wider range of pesticide residues in other commodities since it provides low values of LOQ with acceptable accuracy and precision.     

气相色谱法测定坚果中8种拟除虫菊酯农药残留

建立了东盟进口坚果夏威夷果、开心果、杏仁中8种拟除虫菊酯农药残留的检测方法。样品采用乙腈作萃取溶剂超声波提取,经中性氧化铝串联弗罗里硅土小柱净化,组分经不同极性的两根毛细管柱进行分离,采用气相色谱法以ECD检测器检测坚果中8种拟除虫菊酯农药。该方法在0.01~1.0μg/m L浓度范围内具有良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.999 2~0.999 9;在农药添加浓度为10,20,50μg/kg时,回收率为71%~115%,相对标准偏差为4.5%~9.8%,检出限(LOD,S/N=3)为0.014~0.28μg/kg,定量下限(LOQ,S/N=10)为0.047~0.94μg/kg。该方法分离效果好,准确可靠,回收率高,方便快速,可用于坚果中农药残留的日常检测。     

Simultaneous estimation of hydroxychavicol and chlorogenic acid from Piper betel L. through RP-HPLC

A RP-HPLC method was developed (λ (max)?=?280) to quantify hydroxychavicol and chlorogenic acid in Piper betel Linn. The method was validated for linearity, limit of detection (LOD?=?3:1σ/S), limit of quantification (LOQ?=?10:1σ/S), precision, accuracy and ruggedness. The response was linear with good correlation between concentration and mean peak area through a coefficient of determinants (r (2)) of 0.9940, y?=?1.98e?+?004x?+?5.19e?+?004 and 0.9945, y?=?2.76e?+?004x?+?1.40e?+?005 with LOD 1.6?μg?mL(-1), 1.0?μg?mL(-1) and LOQ 5.0?μg?mL(-1) and 3.0?μg?mL(-1), respectively, for hydroxychavicol (28.56% w/w) and chlorogenic acid (0.40% w/w). The %RSD of precision and recovery of hydroxychavicol and chlorogenic acid were <2.0%. The proposed method was simple, accurate, specific, precise and reproducible.     

Determination of Deoxynivalenol in Poultry Feed by Three Gas Chromatographic Detection Techniques

Three different gas chromatographic detection techniques were applied for the determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) present in poultry feed samples. Extraction and cleanup procedures were kept the same for GC–FID, GC–ECD and GC–MS methods. Although all three GC methods provided good and comparable results, but more attention was focused on GC–FID due to its lower cost and easy availability in many laboratories. Therefore, a short 15 m DB-1 short column was introduced for the determination of DON in poultry feed to reduce the time of analysis and initial cost of column. An inter-laboratory study for GC–FID was performed in two laboratories using four naturally DONS-contaminated feed samples and one spiked with standard. The relative standard deviations for repeatability (RSDr) and relative standard deviations for reproducibility (RSD_R) of naturally contaminated feed were in the range 5–23 and 11–24 %, respectively. The Horwitz Ratio (HORRAT) was less than 1.0 in each sample. From the spiking test, recovery, RSDr, RSD_R and value of HORRAT were 93, 5, 11 and 0.6 %, respectively. For GC–FID method, limit of quantification was found to be 6 μg kg^?1. Thus, GC–FID method using 15 m DB-1 capillary column is sensitive and validated analytical method for the determination of DON for poultry feed.     

Correct identification of polychlorinated biphenyls in temperature-programmed GC with ECD detection

A method has been developed for peak identification of PCBs in GC with ECD detection under different temperature programs and isothermal conditions on two commonly used columns (DB-5 and DB-1701). This was achieved by means of accurate calibration of retention times based on the concept of the relative retention index P (i) and retention times of the selected PCB internal standards. The P (i) was calculated from the predicted retention times with the database of the retention parameters (A, B) and the migration equations. Through comparison of the calibrated and experimental retention times of PCBs in technical samples, it was shown that the developed method was effective for correct PCB comprehensive, quantitative, congener-specific (CQCS) analyses.     

Identification of potent odourants in wine and brewed coffee using gas chromatography-olfactometry and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Volatile constituents in wine and brewed coffee were analyzed using a combined system incorporating both GC-olfactometry (GC-O) and comprehensive two-dimensional GC-flame ionization detection (GC×GC-FID). A column set consisting of a 15m first dimension ((1)D; DB-FFAP (free fatty acid phase)), and a 1.0m (2)D column (DB-5 phase) was applied to achieve the GC×GC separation of the volatile extracts isolated by using solid phase extraction (SPE). While 1D GC resulted in many overlapping peaks, GC×GC allowed resolution of co-eluting compounds which coincided with the odour region located using GC-O. Character-impact odourants were tentatively identified through data correlation of GC×GC contour plots across results obtained using either time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS), or with flame photometric detection (FPD) for sulfur speciation. The odourants 2-methyl-2-butenal, 2-(methoxymethyl)-furan, dimethyl trisulfide, 2-ethyl-5-methyl-pyrazine, 2-octenal, 2-furancarboxaldehyde, 3-mercapto-3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methoxy-3-(2-methylpropyl)-pyrazine, 2-furanmethanol and isovaleric acid were suspected to be particularly responsible for coffee aroma using this approach. The presented methodology was applied to identify the potent odourants in two different Australian wine varietals. 1-Octen-3-ol, butanoic acid and 2-methylbutanoic acid were detected in both Merlot and a Sauvignon Blanc+Semillon (SV) blend with high aroma potency. Several co-eluting peaks of ethyl 4-oxo-pentanoate, 3,7-dimethyl-1,5,7-octatrien-3-ol, (Z)-2-octen-1-ol, 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxane were likely contributors to the Merlot wine aroma; while (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, β-phenylethyl acetate, hexanoic acid and co-eluting peaks of 3-ethoxy-1-propanol and hexyl formate may contribute to SV wine aroma character. The volatile sulfur compound 2-mercapto-ethyl acetate was believed to contribute a fruity, brothy, meaty, sulfur odour to Australian Merlot and SV wines.     

Evaluation of fused-silica capillary columns for GC/ECD analysis of chlorinated hydrocarbons listed in EPA method 8120

Four mega-bore, one wide-bore, and one narrow-bore fused-silica capillary columns were evaluated for their applicability to the GC/ECD analysis of 22 chlorinated hydrocarbons, some of which are currently targeted by EPA Method 8120. No one column can resolve all 22 compounds investigated here. Four compounds (two pairs) are coeluting on the SPB-35, DB-210, DB-WAX, and DB-519 fused-silica capillary columns, five compounds (two groups) are coeluting on the DB-1301 fused-silica capillary column, and ten compounds (five pairs) are coeluting on the SPB-5 fused-silica capillary column. The analysis time varies between 30 and 50 min. The order of elution of the chlorinated benzenes seems to depend on their boiling points rather than on the polarity of the liquid phase. The retention times of an additional nine chlorinated toluenes, eight chlorinated xylenes, and five chlorinated naphthalenes are also reported. Electron capture detector linearity is reported for the DB-210 fused-silica capillary column. Five brominated compounds were investigated as possible internal standards for Method 8120.     

Development of a solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography with microelectron-capture detection method for the determination of 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane in rinse-off cosmetics

5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane (bronidox) is a bromine-containing preservative often used in rinse-off cosmetics but also subjected to several restrictions according to the European Cosmetic Products Regulation. Thus, as a part of a quality control procedure, analytical methods for the determination of this compound in different types of cosmetics are required. In the present work, a solvent-free and simple methodology based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography with microelectron capture detection (GC-μECD) has been developed and validated for the determination of bronidox in cosmetic samples such as shampoos, body cleansers or facial exfoliants. As far as we know, this is the first application of SPME to this preservative. Negative matrix effects due to the complexity of the studied samples were reduced by dilution with ultrapure water. The influence of several factors on the SPME procedure such as fiber coating, extraction temperature, salt addition (NaCl) and sampling mode has been assessed by performing a 2⁴-factorial design. After optimization, the recommended procedure was established as follows: direct solid-phase microextraction (DSPME), using a PDMS/DVB coating, of 10 mL of diluted cosmetic with 20% NaCl, at room temperature, under stirring for 30 min. Using these suggested extraction conditions, linear calibration could be achieved, with limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) well below the maximum authorized concentration (0.1%) established by the European legislation. Relative standard deviations (RSD) lower than 10% were obtained for both within a day and among days precision. The method was applied to diverse types of formulations spiked with bronidox at different concentration levels (0.008–0.10%); these samples were quantified by external calibration and satisfactory recoveries (≥70%) were obtained in all cases. Finally, the SPME–GC-μECD methodology was applied to the analysis of several cosmetics labeled or not as containing bronidox. The presence of this preservative in some of these samples was confirmed by GC–MS.     

Derivatization and Determination of MCPA in Soil by GC

A reliable and sensitive method for determination of MCPA in soil by derivatization through p-toluenesulfonic acid and 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol followed by gas chromatographic detection under ECD mode has been established. After treatment with hydrochloric acid, the soil samples were directly extracted without any clean-up with dichloromethane by vortexing. After derivatization and liquid–liquid extraction, the product was subjected to GC analysis. Under optimized conditions, recovery of MCPA reached 87–91%; intra- and inter-day precision values were recorded in the range 3.4–6.4% and 7.4–8.7%, respectively. Excellent linear relationship was observed within 0.1–10 μg mL^?1 (0.005–0.5 mg kg^?1) with linear correlation coefficient (R) of 0.9997. The LOD and LOQ were 0.001 and 0.0026 mg kg^?1, respectively, and the overall sensitivity for detection was found to be in the same range as with the conventional GC-MS technique.     

Analysis of hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector

The determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites in human urine is the method of choice for assessing exposure to carcinogenic compounds. The objective of this study was the development of a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) method using a flame ionisation detector (FID) to simultaneously determine 10 hydroxylated PAH. The method was based on enzymatic deconjugation, liquid–liquid extraction, and trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatization of the analytes by microwave heating. Satisfactory separation was achieved. The coefficient of variance was 3.8–12.8%. LOD was 0.03–0.18 μg/L, and LOQ was 0.1–0.5 μg/L. The mean recovery was 76%. The method was applied to the analysis of urine from smokers and non-smokers.