How do you analyze GC-MS results?

How to Read GC/MS Chromatograms

1. The X-Axis: Retention Time. Usually, the x-axis of the gas chromatogram shows the amount of time taken for the analytes to pass through the column and reach the mass spectrometer detector.
2. The Y-Axis: Concentration or Intensity Counts.
3. Differences in Gas Chromatogram Models.

What is GC-MS analysis?

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, or GC/MS analysis, is an analytical method that combines the features of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify different substances within a sample component matrix. GC/MS analysis is generally considered one of the most accurate analyses available.

Can GC-MS resolve enantiomers?

And while MS cannot tell mirror-image enantiomers and most diastereomers apart, GC columns can—in the case of enantiomers, with a chiral stationary phase. This is one reason why GC and MS are considered complementary techniques, and why their combination is so powerful.

What can GC-MS detect?

GC-MS can be used for the bioanalysis of body fluids to detect narcotics, barbiturates, alcohols, and drugs such as anticonvulsants, anesthetics, antihistamines, sedative hypnotics, and anti-epileptic drugs. It is also useful in detecting pollutants and metabolites in serum and in fatty acid profiling in microbes.

How do you use GC MS analysis?

During GC/MS analysis, the sample is injected into a gas chromatograph which volatilizes the sample, then separates the various components of the sample based on size and/or polarity. The separated components then go into a mass selective detector.

How do I test my GC?

Gas chromatography can also be conducted as a stand-alone test in order to determine the purity of a substance, or to separate different components of a mixture. In order to conduct gas chromatography, scientists first inject the analyte, a liquid or gaseous sample, into a gas chromatograph (pictured).

Can GCMS distinguish between isomers?

Drug isomers can confidently be differentiated by GC–VUV. Small differences in VUV spectra are sufficient to distinguish drug isomers. GC–VUV provides orthogonal selectivity to GC–MS. Traditional GC–MS data also provides information for isomer differentiation.

What can GC do that MS Cannot?

GC/MS is limited to analytes that are not only volatile and thermally labile but can also withstand the harsh partitioning conditions of the gas chromatograph. Even with this limitation, there are many analytes that can only be separated from complex mixtures and identified by GC/MS.