Use of a superabsorbent polymer for the preconcentration of volatile components from complex matrices

A polymeric material commonly used as a superabsorbent in the sanitary industry is proposed for the first time for analytical purposes. Specifically, we have evaluated in this work the possibility of using this material in a programmed-temperature vaporizer (PTV) injector for the introduction of large volume samples. To that end, the viability of this superabsorbent polymer as a retaining material was first studied by testing the stability of its absorption capacity in the presence of various solvents and at various temperatures. Subsequently, its effectiveness in the isolation of menthol and its isomers from Mentha piperita essential oil as well as gamma-lactones from peach essential oil was assessed. For that purpose, optimization of different variables, namely PTV temperatures during sampling, purge times, and desorption temperatures, involved in the solvent elimination was performed. Additionally, the information obtained was compared with that acquired for the adsorbent material Tenax TA. The results shown in this work proved not only the viability of using this superabsorbent polymer in analytical procedures but also demonstrated its advantages over the adsorbent Tenax TA in attaining internal GC concentration of a sample by introducing large volumes via PTV.