Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Profiling Volatile Compounds in Blackcurrant Fruit using Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 9, 2021
Optimisation of wort volatile analysis by headspace solid-phase microextraction in combination with gas
David P De Schutter1, Daan Saison, Filip Delvaux
1Centre for Malting and Brewing Science, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, K.U. Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 22, Box 2463, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium. david.deschutter@biw.kuleuven.be
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to create a simple, solventless technique without derivatisation in order to analyze a broad range of volatiles in beer wort. A method was developed using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The procedure was optimised by selection of the appropriate fibre and optimisation of extraction temperature, extraction time, and salting-out. The detection limits were well below the actual wort concentrations of the selected volatiles, ranging from 12 ng/l for linalool to 0.53 microg/l for furfural. Moreover, the procedure showed a good linearity and was applied to the analysis of wort samples taken from a wort boiling process in an industrial brewery.
Related Concept Videos
Volatilization
Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS)
A gas chromatograph consists of a long, narrow capillary column with a polysiloxane coating on the inner wall. The coating...
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
Gas Chromatography: Introduction
In GC, a sample is vaporized and mixed with an inert carrier gas (the mobile phase), which transports it through a column.
Gas Chromatography: Sample Injection Systems
Two primary injection methods are used...

