Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Ambient Aerosols by Using One-Dimensional and Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography Combined with Mass Spectrometric Method: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Advanced separation technology paired with mass spectrometry is an ideal method for the analysis of atmospheric samples having complex chemical compositions. Due to the huge variety of both natural and anthropogenic sources of organic compounds, simultaneous quantification and identification of organic compounds in aerosol samples represents a demanding analytical challenge. In this regard, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) has become an effective analytical method. However, verification and validation approaches to quantify these analytes have not been critically evaluated. We compared the performance of gas chromatography with quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-qMS) and GC×GC-TOFMS for quantitative analysis of eighteen target polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The quantitative obtained results such as limits of detection (LODs), limits of quantification (LOQs), and recoveries of target PAHs were approximately equivalent based on both analytical methods. Furthermore, a larger number of analytes were consistently identified from the aerosol samples by GC×GC-TOFMS compared to GC-qMS. Our findings suggest that GC×GC-TOFMS would be widely applicable to the atmospheric and related sciences with simultaneous target and nontarget analysis in a single run.

What is necessary for next‐generation atmospheric environmental standards? Recent research trends for PM2.5‐bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives

“…Two‐dimensional GC (GC × GC) is available to separate and identify a variety of compounds compared to normal GC. Comprehensive GC × GC with TOFMS (GC × GC‐TOFMS) was recently employed to determine PAHs in air samples (Ahn et al, 2018; Geldenhuys, Rohwer, Naudé, & Forbes, 2015).…”

Effects of Dietary Fibers on Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Gut Microbiota Composition in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review

“…Of these methods, GC-MS is the most commonly used method for SCFA measurement in biological samples due to its higher sensitivity [60]. Among GC detectors, flame ionization detection (FID) is commonly used due to its inexpensive cost and operation, and its ability to detect a wide range of concentrations of organic compounds [61]. GC-FID is more reliable, reproducible, and sensitive for quantitative analysis than GC-MS, while GC-MS can provide more definite qualitative information and biomolecule identification [62].…”

A Versatile SERS Sensor for Multiple Determinations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Its Application Potential in Analysis of Fried Foods

“…Based on the risk assessment by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, in 1976, 16 PAHs (Table 1) were selected as "priority polycyclic aromatic compounds" on the basis of their toxicity and the risks to human health [4,5]. e traditional analytical methods for PAHs usually include gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) [6], high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [7], gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) [8,9], and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOF MS) [10]. e laborious pretreatment steps and the large-scale instruments often required for these methods are only suitable for laboratory analysis.…”

“…The traditional analytical methods for PAHs usually include gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) [ 6 ], high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [ 7 ], gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) [ 8 , 9 ], and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOF MS) [ 10 ]. The laborious pretreatment steps and the large-scale instruments often required for these methods are only suitable for laboratory analysis.…”