Interactive and multi-sensory analysis of complex mixtures by an automated gas chromatography system

Methods are presented for increased human-computer interactions in the analysis of metabolic profiles of urinary organic acids. Complex mixtures of trimethylsilylated derivatives are separated by capillary gas-liquid chromatography on a 25-m bonded-phase, fused-silica column. Retention times and areas, determined by a printing integrator, are transferred to a personal computer along with the digitized output of the flame-ionization detector. Post-run computer analysis gives enhanced visual graphic displays with software-driven zooming, scrolling, peak identification and quantitation. In addition, auditory (musical) forms can be produced that increase the scope of human interaction. This novel approach catalyzes simultaneous use of computer calculations and human intuition, optimizing their combined cognitive powers for accurate qualitative and quantitative analyses of these complex mixtures.