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Related Concept Videos

Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-II01:19

Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-II

In gas chromatography, different detectors are employed to meet specific analytical needs. These detectors are often categorized based on their detection mechanisms and the types of compounds they are best suited to analyze. Thermal Conductivity Detectors (TCD), Flame Ionization Detectors (FID), and Electron Capture Detectors (ECD) represent common categories, each with unique operating principles and applications. However, beyond these, several other detectors are designed for more specialized...
Gas Chromatography: Overview of Detectors01:13

Gas Chromatography: Overview of Detectors

Detectors in gas chromatography (GC) help identify and quantify the components of a mixture by translating chemical properties into measurable signals, which are displayed on a chromatogram. Detectors can be categorized into two main types: destructive and non-destructive.
A non-destructive detector allows a sample to be analyzed without altering or consuming it, meaning the sample can be collected after detection for further analysis. Examples include thermal conductivity detectors and...
Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-I01:21

Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-I

There are different types of detectors used in gas chromatography, each with its own specific properties that make it suitable for detecting certain types of analytes. The most commonly used detectors in GC are thermal conductivity detector (TCD), flame ionization detector (FID), and electron capture detector (ECD).
TCD is the earliest and most widely used detector that operates by measuring the changes in the thermal conductivity of the carrier gas. When a sample compound enters the detector,...
Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect01:13

Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect

Most elements exist in nature as a mixture of isotopes. The isotopes differ in weight due to their respective number of neutrons. The molecular weight of a molecule is different depending on the specific isotope of its elements involved. As a result, the mass spectrum of the molecule exhibits peaks from the same fragment at multiple positions. The positions of these mass signals depend on the mass differences between isotopes. Furthermore, the intensity of these signals is dependent on the...
Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS)01:14

Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS)

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) is the combination of analytical techniques of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in a single instrument for analyzing a mixture of compounds. The gas chromatograph separates the compounds in the mixture, and the mass spectrometer analyzes each compound separately to determine the molecular masses and molecular structures.
A gas chromatograph consists of a long, narrow capillary column with a polysiloxane coating on the inner wall. The coating...
Gas Chromatography: Introduction01:13

Gas Chromatography: Introduction

Gas chromatography (GC) is a technique for separating and analyzing volatile compounds in a sample. Its primary purpose is to identify and quantify components in complex mixtures, making it essential in fields such as environmental analysis, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals. GC is also called vapor-phase chromatography (VPC) or gas-liquid partition chromatography (GLPC).
In GC,  a sample is vaporized and mixed with an inert carrier gas (the mobile phase), which transports it through a column.

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Cellular Lipid Extraction for Targeted Stable Isotope Dilution Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis
09:26

Cellular Lipid Extraction for Targeted Stable Isotope Dilution Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Published on: November 17, 2011

Isotope-ratio detection for gas chromatography.

Alex L Sessions1

  • 1Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. als@gps.caltech.edu

Journal of Separation Science
|September 15, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Highly precise stable-isotope analysis of organic compounds is achievable using gas chromatography (GC) coupled with isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). This powerful combination offers significant improvements in precision and detection limits for carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen isotopes.

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Published on: July 25, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Geochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

Background:

  • Stable-isotope analysis is crucial for understanding biogeochemical cycles and molecular origins.
  • Existing methods for organic compound analysis lack the necessary precision for detailed isotopic studies.
  • Gas chromatography (GC) is a standard technique for separating organic compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe instrumentation and methods for highly precise stable-isotopic composition analysis of organic compounds separated by GC.
  • To highlight the capabilities of GC coupled with isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) for elemental and isotopic analysis.
  • To detail the analytical approaches for different elements (C, N, H, O) and their respective detection limits.

Main Methods:

  • Coupling a conventional GC with a chemical reaction interface and a specialized IRMS.
  • Quantitative conversion of organic matter to common molecular forms (CO2, N2, H2, CO) for isotopic measurement.
  • Simultaneous monitoring of ion currents for all major isotopologs using differential measurements for high precision.

Main Results:

  • Achieved precision for 13C/12C ratios approaching 0.1 per thousand, four orders of magnitude better than conventional mass spectrometry.
  • Detection limits below 1 nmol C (approx. 10 ng hydrocarbon) on-column for carbon isotope analysis.
  • Correspondingly high precision and detection limits for N, O, and H isotopes.

Conclusions:

  • GC-IRMS systems provide unparalleled precision and sensitivity for stable-isotope analysis of organic compounds.
  • The described methods are adaptable to most existing GC hardware.
  • This technique significantly advances the capability for detailed molecular-level isotopic investigations.