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Updated: May 6, 2026

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Paired with Total Vaporization Solid-Phase Microextraction as a Forensic Tool
Published on: May 25, 2021
Quantitative analysis of γ- and δ-lactones in wines using gas chromatography with selective tandem mass spectrometric
Johannes Langen1, Chen-Yin Wang, Petra Slabizki
1Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum (DLR) Rheinpfalz, Competence Center for Wine Research, Breitenweg 71, D-67435, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany.
Rationale:
Aroma relevant γ- and δ-lactones are important flavor compounds in various foodstuffs. Their quantitative determination is essential for evaluating food sensory properties as well as food authenticity studies.
Methods:
High-throughput head-space solid-phase microextraction as sample preparation, separation by capillary gas chromatography coupled with triple stage quadrupole mass spectrometry has been evaluated as the analytical method.
Results:
Monitoring selected reaction mass fragments allowed sub-µg/L quantification of γ- and δ-lactones in complex wine matrices.
Conclusions:
Tandem mass spectrometry improves specific detection of γ- and δ-lactones, a prerequisite for reliable quantification at low-µg/L concentration levels in complex wine matrices.
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