Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to a rapid-scanning quadrupole mass spectrometer: principles and applications

The principles, practicability and potential of comprehensive two-dimensional (2D) gas chromatography coupled to a rapid-scanning quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC x GC-qMS) for the analysis of complex flavour mixtures in food, allergens in fragrances and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were studied. With a scan speed of 10,000 amu/s, monitoring over a mass range of up to 200 atomic mass unit (amu) can be achieved at an acquisition frequency of 33 Hz. Extending this mass range and/or increasing the data acquisition frequency results in a loss of spectral quality. Optimal parameter settings allow, next to unambiguous identification/confirmation of target compounds on the basis of high-quality mass spectra, fully satisfactory quantification (three to four modulations per peak) with linear calibration plots and detection limits in the low-pg level. The potential of time-scheduled data acquisition to increase the effective mass range within one GC x GC run was also explored. The analyses, with baseline separation of the flavours, allergens and PCB target compounds, took less than 30 min.