The CITEpro module “Target and non-target GC-HRMS screening in complex samples” establishes gas chromatographic analysis of challenging environmental samples bearing complex mixtures of organic pollutants. The Q Exactive GC (GC/Quadrupole-Orbitrap) can be used to analyse different environmental matrices such as water, sediment and biota as well as passive sampling extracts for semi-/volatile organic chemicals. The gas chromatographic analysis is performed by a GC system consisting of a TriPlus RSH autosampler with a Trace 1310 GC with a hot split/splitless injector and the chromatographic separation is achieved with a DB-5ms ultra inert GC column.

The quadrupole of the coupled QExactive allows detection and quantification of target compounds in trace levels by high sensitivity MS/MS experiments which are then evaluated by the software TraceFinder. Due to the high resolution (resolving power of up to 120,000 at m/z 200) and high accuracy (sub ppm levels) capabilities of the Orbitrap, molecular formulas and isotopic patterns can be assigned leading to the characterization of samples and successful unknown identification, supported also by spectral libraries such as NIST or customized in-house databases.

Application:

Target and non-target analysis of different environmental matrices

Literature references