Quantitation in capillary gas chromatography with emphasis on the problems of sample introduction

Sampling techniques for practical quantitative capillary GC have to meet certain principal requirements. Both the absolute and the relative peak areas (e.g. column loads) must be reproducible with high precision and at high accuracy; discrimination of certain constituents according to their volatility should not take place on sampling. On the basis of systematic studies, the three most reliable sampling techniques used for GC analyses with the aim of achieving precise and accurate quantitative data proved to be the following: On-column, injection, splitless PTV injection, and an optimized version of split sampling called “cooled needle split” injection. The on-column technique can be optimized by using precolumns with wider internal diameters and without stationary phase coatings to overcome the problems of large liquid sampling volumes and for automation. The PTV technique should only be used in the splitless mode because discrimination cannot be suppressed completely with the split mode. All three of the techniques can be operated automatically, either to avoid “human interference”, i.e. to improve precision or for unattended operation to save man-power.     

Precision of an automated all-glass capillary gas chromatography system with an electron capture detector for the trace analysis of estrogens

Subnanogram detection of steroids has become increasingly important today. One applicable method for gas chromatographic determination of subnanogram quantities of estrogens as halogenated derivatives is electron capture detection. HFB-derivatives of 7 different estrogens were automatically injected onto a prolonged narrow bore wall-coated glass capillary column. Normal split injection could not be used for this trace analysis because of too much loss of sample. Only small amounts of sample were available from which double analysis had to be performed. Cross-contamination of the automatic sampling system as well as precision of retention times and peak areas were determined. The type of injection described showed better quantitative results compared to the splitless injection technique. All details of the system used together with the results are this discussed in this paper.     

Gas-liquid chromatography of amino acids: Columns and methodology as a basis for routine amino acid analysis using glass capillary gas chromatography

A carefully Standardized technique is described for the preparation of glass capillary columns which can be used successfully for routine quantitative amino acid analysis. Comparison is made between two different modes of sample injection. Preliminary quantitative results from “split” injection and “on-column” injection techniques are evaluated statistically and it is concluded that the “on-column” system is a prerequisite for quantitative amino acid analysis by glass capillary gas chromatography. An analysis of fish muscle protein hydrolyzate illustrates an application of this technique and results are compared with those from a packed column analysis.