Odor Analysis
Headspace Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry is used to sample & identify volatile molecules being given off by an object.
Headspace Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry is used to sample & identify volatile molecules being given off by an object.
Odor is generated when molecules from an object volatilize and float through the air into your nose. By placing that object into a closed sampling vessel and heating it using a known temperature profile, it is possible to sample the volatile molecules being given off by the object and determine what they are. The technique we use to perform this analysis is Headspace Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Headspace GC/MS).
Solid or liquid samples are sealed in headspace vials. The headspace vials are typically heated to drive the volatiles from the solid or liquid phase into the gas phase. Sample vials can be agitated during heating.
Sampling of the Headspace for GC/MS injection is usually performed using a heated gas-tight syringe. If greater sensitivity is required, solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) can be used to concentrate volatiles prior to GC/MS analysis.
Virtually any sample that can be made to fit into a headspace vial can be tested. However, the sample matrix itself should not be highly volatile.
The required sample size for Headspace GC/MS is inversely proportional to the concentration(s) of volatile compounds that must be detected or quantified.
A sample size of 0.1 g to 10 g is typical for headspace GC/MS.
Samples should be sent to us in a tightly sealed container that doesn’t release any volatiles of its own.
Contact us to talk about your specific sample considerations and chromatography testing needs.
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