Improving confidence in analysis of complex natural products
Conventional 1D GC–MS systems often struggle to handle the complex volatile profiles found in plants and food products, limiting confidence in non-target screening.
In 2021, researchers at the University of Reading’s Chemical Analysis Facility encountered this challenge while studying volatile compounds in crops like kale, honey, and wine. These volatiles can reveal how plants respond to factors such as climate change and pests, offering insights crucial for agriculture and food sciences.
To achieve higher precision, the team, led by Dr Luke Bell, sought a system beyond traditional GC–MS. They adopted an automated GCxGC–TOF MS solution from SepSolve, which provided enhanced separation capabilities, allowing for clearer analyte identification and streamlined sample preparation. This advancement gave them more reliable, detailed data on complex volatile profiles, enabling deeper insights into how agricultural products respond to environmental pressures.
- Customer: University of Reading, UK
- Application: Analysis of plant and food volatiles
- Challenge: Comprehensive analysis ofcomplex profiles wasbeing hampered by the low peak capacity andsensitivity of conventional 1D GC–MS
- Solution: Centri® sample automationand concentration, with INSIGHT®-Flow GC×GC coupled with BenchTOF2™ MS and a Phaser Pro odour detection port
- Results: Better research insights forcrop and food science; deeper cross-department collaboration; easier student training