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Thamatam N, Ahn J, Chowdhury M, Sharma A, Gupta P, Marr LC, Nazhandali L, Agah M. A MEMS-enabled portable gas chromatography injection system for trace analysis. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1261:341209. [PMID: 37147055 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Growing concerns about environmental conditions, public health, and disease diagnostics have led to the rapid development of portable sampling techniques to characterize trace-level volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from various sources. A MEMS-based micropreconcentrator (μPC) is one such approach that drastically reduces the size, weight, and power constraints offering greater sampling flexibility in many applications. However, the adoption of μPCs on a commercial scale is hindered by a lack of thermal desorption units (TDUs) that easily integrate μPCs with gas chromatography (GC) systems equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID) or a mass spectrometer (MS). Here, we report a highly versatile μPC-based, single-stage autosampler-injection unit for traditional, portable, and micro-GCs. The system uses μPCs packaged in 3D-printed swappable cartridges and is based on a highly modular interfacing architecture that allows easy-to-remove, gas-tight fluidic, and detachable electrical connections (FEMI). This study describes the FEMI architecture and demonstrates the FEMI-Autosampler (FEMI-AS) prototype (9.5 cm × 10 cm x 20 cm, ≈500 gms). The system was integrated with GC-FID, and the performance was investigated using synthetic gas samples and ambient air. The results were contrasted with the sorbent tube sampling technique using TD-GC-MS. FEMI-AS could generate sharp injection plugs (≈240 ms) and detect analytes with concentrations <15 ppb within 20 s and <100 ppt within 20 min of sampling time. With more than 30 detected trace-level compounds from ambient air, the demonstrated FEMI-AS, and the FEMI architecture significantly accelerate the adoption of μPCs on a broader scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nipun Thamatam
- VT MEMS Lab, The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Jeonghyeon Ahn
- VT MEMS Lab, The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Mustahsin Chowdhury
- VT MEMS Lab, The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Arjun Sharma
- CESCA, The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Poonam Gupta
- CESCA, The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Linsey C Marr
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Leyla Nazhandali
- CESCA, The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Masoud Agah
- VT MEMS Lab, The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States.
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Yoo MJ, Lee MH, Szulejko JE, Vikrant K, Kim KH. A quantitation method for gaseous formaldehyde based on gas chromatography with metal–organic framework cold-trap sorbent as an effective alternative for HPLC-based standard protocol. Microchem J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2020.105624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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3
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Lan H, Hartonen K, Riekkola ML. Miniaturised air sampling techniques for analysis of volatile organic compounds in air. Trends Analyt Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2020.115873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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4
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Lan H, Holopainen J, Hartonen K, Jussila M, Ritala M, Riekkola ML. Fully Automated Online Dynamic In-Tube Extraction for Continuous Sampling of Volatile Organic Compounds in Air. Anal Chem 2019; 91:8507-8515. [PMID: 31247721 PMCID: PMC6750644 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b01668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Comprehensive and time-dependent information (e.g., chemical composition, concentration) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in atmospheric, indoor, and breath air is essential to understand the fundamental science of the atmosphere, air quality, and diseases diagnostic. Here, we introduced a fully automated online dynamic in-tube extraction (ITEX)-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method for continuous and quantitative monitoring of VOCs in air. In this approach, modified Cycle Composer software and a PAL autosampler controlled and operated the ITEX preconditioning, internal standard (ISTD) addition, air sampling, and ITEX desorption sequentially to enable full automation. Air flow passed through the ITEX with the help of an external pump, instead of plunger up-down strokes, to allow larger sampling volumes, exhaustive extraction, and consequently lower detection limits. Further, in order to evaluate the ITEX system stability and to develop the corresponding quantitative ITEX method, two laboratory-made permeation systems (for standard VOCs and ISTD) were constructed. The stability and suitability of the developed system was validated with a consecutive 19 day atmospheric air campaign under automation. By using an electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers packed ITEX, selective extraction of some VOCs and durability of over 1500 extraction and desorption cycles were achieved. Especially, the latter step is critically important for on-site long-term application at remote regions. This ITEX method provided 2-3 magnitudes lower quantitation limits than the headspace dynamic ITEX method and other needle trap methods. Our results proved the excellence of the fully automated online dynamic ITEX-GC/MS system for tracking VOCs in the atmospheric air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangzhen Lan
- Department of Chemistry , University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 55, 00014 Helsinki , Finland.,Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research , University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 64, 00014 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Jani Holopainen
- Department of Chemistry , University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 55, 00014 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Kari Hartonen
- Department of Chemistry , University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 55, 00014 Helsinki , Finland.,Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research , University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 64, 00014 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Matti Jussila
- Department of Chemistry , University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 55, 00014 Helsinki , Finland.,Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research , University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 64, 00014 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Mikko Ritala
- Department of Chemistry , University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 55, 00014 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Marja-Liisa Riekkola
- Department of Chemistry , University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 55, 00014 Helsinki , Finland.,Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research , University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 64, 00014 Helsinki , Finland
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Skog KM, Xiong F, Kawashima H, Doyle E, Soto R, Gentner DR. Compact, Automated, Inexpensive, and Field-Deployable Vacuum-Outlet Gas Chromatograph for Trace-Concentration Gas-Phase Organic Compounds. Anal Chem 2019; 91:1318-1327. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b03095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kate M. Skog
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Fulizi Xiong
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Hitoshi Kawashima
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Evan Doyle
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Ricardo Soto
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Drew R. Gentner
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- SEARCH (Solutions for Energy, Air, Climate and Health) Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
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Soo JC, Gyung Lee E, LeBouf RF, Kashon ML, Chisholm W, Harper M. Evaluation of a portable gas chromatograph with photoionization detector under variations of VOC concentration, temperature, and relative humidity. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2018; 15:351-360. [PMID: 29333991 PMCID: PMC6379918 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2018.1426860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this present study was to evaluate the performance of a portable gas chromatograph-photoionization detector (GC-PID), under various test conditions to determine if it could be used in occupational settings. A mixture of 7 volatile organic compounds (VOCs)-acetone, ethylbenzene, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, m-xylene, p-xylene, and o-xylene-was selected because its components are commonly present in paint manufacturing industries. A full-factorial combination of 4 concentration levels (exposure scenarios) of VOC mixtures, 3 different temperatures (25°C, 30°C, and 35°C), and 3 relative humidities (RHs; 25%, 50%, and 75%) was conducted in a full-size controlled environmental chamber. Three repetitions were conducted for each test condition allowing for estimation of accuracy. Time-weighted average exposure data were collected using solid sorbent tubes (Anasorb 747, SKC Inc.) as the reference sampling medium. Calibration curves of Frog-4000 using the dry gases showed R2 > 0.99 for all analytes except for toluene (R2 = 0.97). Frog-4000 estimates within a test condition showed good consistency for the performance of repeated measurement. However, there was ∼41-64% reduction in the analysis of polar acetone with 75% RH relative to collection at 25% RH. Although Frog-4000 results correlated well with solid sorbent tubes (r = 0.808-0.993, except for toluene) most of the combinations regardless of analyte did not meet the <25% accuracy criterion recommended by NIOSH. The effect of chromatographic co-elution can be seen with m, p-xylene when the results are compared to the sorbent tube sampling technique with GC-flame ionization detector. The results indicated an effect of humidity on the quantification of the polar compounds that might be attributed to the pre-concentrator placed in the selected GC-PID. Further investigation may resolve the humidity effect on sorbent trap with micro GC pre-concentrator when water vapor is present. Although this instrument does not fulfill the accuracy criterion specified in the NIOSH technical report No. 2012-162, it can be used as a screening tool for range finding monitoring with dry gases calibration in the occupational setting rather than compliance monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhy-Charm Soo
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Eun Gyung Lee
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Ryan F. LeBouf
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Michael L. Kashon
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - William Chisholm
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Martin Harper
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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Biagini D, Lomonaco T, Ghimenti S, Bellagambi FG, Onor M, Scali MC, Barletta V, Marzilli M, Salvo P, Trivella MG, Fuoco R, Di Francesco F. Determination of volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath of heart failure patients by needle trap micro-extraction coupled with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. J Breath Res 2017; 11:047110. [PMID: 29052557 DOI: 10.1088/1752-7163/aa94e7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The analytical performances of needle trap micro-extraction (NTME) coupled with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were evaluated by analyzing a mixture of twenty-two representative breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) belonging to different chemical classes (i.e. hydrocarbons, ketones, aldehydes, aromatics and sulfurs). NTME is an emerging technique that guarantees detection limits in the pptv range by pre-concentrating low volumes of sample, and it is particularly suitable for breath analysis. For most VOCs, detection limits between 20 and 500 pptv were obtained by pre-concentrating 25 ml of a humidified standard gas mixture at a flow rate of 15 ml min-1. For all compounds, inter- and intra-day precisions were always below 15%, confirming the reliability of the method. The procedure was successfully applied to the analysis of exhaled breath samples collected from forty heart failure (HF) patients during their stay in the University Hospital of Pisa. The majority of patients (about 80%) showed a significant decrease of breath acetone levels (a factor of 3 or higher) at discharge compared to admission (acute phase) in correspondence to the improved clinical conditions during hospitalization, thus making this compound eligible as a biomarker of HF exacerbation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Biagini
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Li MS, Wu SC, Peng YH, Shih YH. Adsorption of volatile organic vapors by activated carbon derived from rice husk under various humidity conditions and its statistical evaluation by linear solvation energy relationships. Sep Purif Technol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2016.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Tang Z, Liu Y, Duan Y. Breath analysis: technical developments and challenges in the monitoring of human exposure to volatile organic compounds. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2015; 1002:285-99. [PMID: 26343020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2015.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
At present, there is a growing concern about human quality of life. In particular, there is an awareness of the impact of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on the environment and human health, so the monitoring of human exposure to VOCs is an increasingly urgent need. Biomonitoring is theoretically more accurate compared with traditional ambient air monitoring, and it plays an essential role in human environmental exposure assessment. Breath analysis is a biomonitoring method with many advantages, which is applicable to assessments of human exposure to a large number of VOCs. Techniques are being developed to improve the sensitivity and precision of breath analysis based on in-direct and direct measurements which will be reviewed in this paper. This paper briefly reviews the frequently used methods in both of these categories, specifically highlighting some promising new techniques. Furthermore, this review also provides theoretical background knowledge about the use of breath analysis as a biomonitoring tool for human exposure assessment. A review of the application of breath analysis to human exposure monitoring during last two decades is also provided according to occupational/non-occupational exposure. Obstacles and potential challenges in this field are also summarized. Based on the gradual improvements in the theoretical basis and technology reviewed in this paper, breath analysis is an enormous potential approach for the monitoring of human exposure to VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhentao Tang
- Research Center of Analytical Instrumentation, Analytical Testing Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Research Center of Analytical Instrumentation, Analytical Testing Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yixiang Duan
- Research Center of Analytical Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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10
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Effects of packing density, flow and humidity on the performance of needle trap devices. J Chromatogr A 2014; 1369:18-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2014.09.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Revised: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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11
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Camerini F, Guerriero E, Mosca S, Rotatori M. Determination of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene in industrial emission. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 20:4881-4885. [PMID: 23307079 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-012-1453-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A method to measure the emissive concentration of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB), a reactive compound used in industrial synthesis of terpolymers, has been developed. The starting points for the development of the presented method are European and Italian reference methods for the quantification of nonreactive volatile organic compounds in industrial emission. In this study, sampling conditions and desorption solvent have been optimized in laboratory and the method was applied in an industrial plant. The laboratory tests showed a good recovery (88-95%). The concentrations of ENB in industrial emission obtained with the developed method were compared with an online gas chromatography-flame ionization results (R (2) > 0.97). In addition, several manual measurements were performed in parallel, and the resulting %RSD repeatability was <9%. The developed method provides a discontinuous technique to measure reactive volatile organic compounds using easy-to-use instruments and assures a very good accuracy and precision even with high-humidity gas flows. The method could be extended to other reactive compounds of the same class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Camerini
- Italian National Research Council-Institute for Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29, 300 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
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12
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Alonso M, Sanchez JM. Analytical challenges in breath analysis and its application to exposure monitoring. Trends Analyt Chem 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2012.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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13
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Trefz P, Kischkel S, Hein D, James ES, Schubert JK, Miekisch W. Needle trap micro-extraction for VOC analysis: Effects of packing materials and desorption parameters. J Chromatogr A 2012; 1219:29-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2011.10.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2011] [Revised: 10/20/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Alonso M, Godayol A, Antico E, Sanchez JM. Needle microextraction trap for on-site analysis of airborne volatile compounds at ultra-trace levels in gaseous samples. J Sep Sci 2011; 34:2705-11. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201100381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2011] [Revised: 06/07/2011] [Accepted: 06/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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De Crom J, Claeys S, Godayol A, Alonso M, Anticó E, Sanchez JM. Sorbent-packed needle microextraction trap for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes determination in aqueous samples. J Sep Sci 2010; 33:2833-40. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201000213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Alonso M, Castellanos M, Martín J, Sanchez JM. Capillary thermal desorption unit for near real-time analysis of VOCs at sub-trace levels. Application to the analysis of environmental air contamination and breath samples. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2009; 877:1472-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2009.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2008] [Revised: 03/17/2009] [Accepted: 03/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Pandey SK, Kim KH. A review of methods for the determination of reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs) in air. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2009; 43:3020-9. [PMID: 19534108 DOI: 10.1021/es803272f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The importance of reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs) in air is well-known for its significant effect on global atmospheric chemistry and malodor and quality of life. In this review, methodological approaches commonly employed for the analysis of RSCs such as hydrogen sulfide, methane thiol, dimethyl sulfide, carbon disulfide, and dimethyl disulfide in air are described. To this end, we focus on gas chromatography (GC) because it is the most feasible, frequently used, and widely accepted approach for the analysis of RSC in air. The advantages and possible limitations related to sampling and/or preconcentration methods are also discussed. The relative performance of different GC-based detection methodologies is evaluated in terms of basic quality assurance. Some alternative methods (i.e., other than GC) that deal with the determination of RSCs in air matrices are also discussed briefly. Finally, this review addresses the methodological developments of RSC analysis by highlighting current limitations and future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhir Kumar Pandey
- Atmospheric Environment Laboratory, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Sejong University, Seoul 143-747, Korea
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Ras MR, Borrull F, Marcé RM. Sampling and preconcentration techniques for determination of volatile organic compounds in air samples. Trends Analyt Chem 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2008.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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19
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Pal R, Kim KH. Gas chromatographic approach for the determination of carbonyl compounds in ambient air. Microchem J 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2008.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Pal R, Kim KH. The effect of cold trap adsorbents on the gas chromatographic analysis of ambient VOCs under Peltier cooling conditions. J Sep Sci 2008; 31:1100-9. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.200700531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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21
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Belda-Iniesta C, de Castro Carpeño J, Carrasco JA, Moreno V, Casado Sáenz E, Feliu J, Sereno M, García Río F, Barriuso J, González Barón M. New screening method for lung cancer by detecting volatile organic compounds in breath. Clin Transl Oncol 2007; 9:364-8. [PMID: 17594950 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-007-0068-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is a frequent cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. There is no valid screening process and this limits its detection to the late stages, with consequently high mortality rates. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are chemical compounds (mainly the products of cell catabolism) found as gases in the human breath. Different methods have been developed to analyse VOCs and to compare them in healthy subjects and lung cancer patients. In this review, we summarise the different techniques used to analyse VOC. Many reports have been published with promising results similar to those achieved with accepted screening methods such as mammography. These methods show good perspectives on lung cancer screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Belda-Iniesta
- Translational Oncology Unit (CSIC/UAM), Medical Oncology Division, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
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Abstract
The analysis of carbonyls in ambient air has received a great deal of scientific attention with the advancement of analytical techniques and increased demand for the build-up of its data base. In this review article, we have attempted to provide some insight into the relative performance of different instrumental approaches available for the analysis of ambient carbonyls with a major emphasis on high performance liquid chromatographic and gas chromatographic methods. Reported in several international standard procedures, derivatization of carbonyls with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) with either an impinger or cartridges is the most commonly used method of HPLC detection. In this respect, a number of alternative hydrazine reagents have also been discussed for use with HPLC. In contrast, GC methods based on the combined application of adsorptive enrichment on solid sorbents and thermal desorption are examined with regard to their suitability for carbonyl analysis in air. Particular emphasis has been directed towards the advantages and drawbacks of these different instrumental techniques for ambient carbonyls. Based on this comparative approach, we discuss the suitability for each method for carbonyl analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raktim Pal
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Atmospheric Environment Laboratory, Sejong University, Seoul, Korea
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23
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Demeestere K, Dewulf J, De Witte B, Van Langenhove H. Sample preparation for the analysis of volatile organic compounds in air and water matrices. J Chromatogr A 2007; 1153:130-44. [PMID: 17258752 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2007.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2006] [Revised: 12/13/2006] [Accepted: 01/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes literature data from the past 5 years on new developments and/or applications of sample preparation methods for analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOC), mainly in air and water matrices. Novel trends in the optimization and application of well-established airborne VOC enrichment techniques are discussed, like the implementation of advanced cooling systems in cryogenic trapping and miniaturization in adsorptive enrichment techniques. Next, focus is put on current tendencies in integrated sampling-extraction-sample introduction methods such as solid phase microextraction (SPME) and novel in-needle trapping devices. Particular attention is paid to emerging membrane extraction techniques such as membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS) and membrane extraction with a sorbent interface (MESI). For VOC enrichment out of water, recent evolutions in direct aqueous injection (DAI) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) are highlighted, with main focus on miniaturized solvent extraction methods such as single drop microextraction (SDME) and liquid phase microextraction (LPME). Next, solvent-free sorptive enrichment receives major attention, with particular interest for innovative techniques such as stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) and solid phase dynamic extraction (SPDE). Finally, recent trends in membrane extraction are reviewed. Applications in both immersion and headspace mode are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristof Demeestere
- Research Group EnVOC, Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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24
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Sanchez JM, Sacks RD. Performance characteristics of a new prototype for a portable GC using ambient air as carrier gas for on-site analysis. J Sep Sci 2007; 30:1052-60. [PMID: 17566340 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.200600367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The performance characteristics of a portable GC instrument requiring no compressed gas supplies and using relatively lightweight transportable components for the analysis of volatile organic components in large-volume air samples are described. To avoid the need for compressed gas tanks, ambient air is used as the carrier gas, and a vacuum pump is used to pull the carrier gas and injected samples through the wall-coated capillary column and a photoionization detector (PID). At-column heating is used eliminating the need for a conventional oven. The fused silica column is wrapped with heater wire and sensor wire so that heating is provided directly at the column. A PID is used since it requires no external gas supplies and has high sensitivity for many compounds of interest in environmental air monitoring. In order to achieve detection limits in the ppb range, an online multibed preconcentrator containing beds of graphitized carbons and carbon molecular sieves is used. After sample collection, the flow direction through the preconcentrator is reversed, and the sample is thermally desorbed directly into the column. Decomposition of sensitive compounds during desorption is greater with air as the carrier gas than with hydrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Sanchez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
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25
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Pollmann J, Helmig D, Hueber J, Tanner D, Tans PP. Evaluation of solid adsorbent materials for cryogen-free trapping—gas chromatographic analysis of atmospheric C2–C6 non-methane hydrocarbons. J Chromatogr A 2006; 1134:1-15. [PMID: 17010353 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2006.08.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2006] [Revised: 08/17/2006] [Accepted: 08/17/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Nine commercial solid adsorbent materials (in order of decreasing surface area: Carboxen 1000, Carbosieve S III, molecular sieve 5A, molecular sieve 4A, silica gel, Carboxen 563, activated alumina, Carbotrap and Carboxen 1016) were investigated for their ability to trap and release C2-C6 non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) in atmospheric samples for subsequent thermal desorption gas chromatography-flame ionization detection analysis (GC-FID). Recovery rates for 23 NMHCs and methyl chloride (CH3Cl) were determined. A microtrap filled with the three adsorbents Carbosieve S III, Carboxen 563 and Carboxen 1016 was found to allow for the analysis of the widest range of target analytes. A detection limit of approximately 3pptC [parts per trillion (carbon)] in a 1l air sample and a linear response over a wide range of volatilities and sample volumes was determined for this configuration. Water vapor in the sample air was found to causes interference in trapping and subsequent chromatographic analysis of light NMHCs. A Peltier-cooled, regenerable water trap inserted into the sample flow path was found to mitigate these problems and to allow quantitative and reproducible results for all analytes at all tested humidity conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Pollmann
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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26
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Rhoderick GC, Yen JH. Development of a NIST Standard Reference Material Containing Thirty Volatile Organic Compounds at 5 nmol/mol in Nitrogen. Anal Chem 2006; 78:3125-32. [PMID: 16643003 DOI: 10.1021/ac052136r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Primary gravimetric gas cylinder standards containing 30 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in nitrogen were prepared using a procedure previously developed to prepare gas mixture cylinder standards of VOCs at the 5 nmol/mol level. This set of primary standards was intercompared to existing gas cylinder standards, containing as many as 19 of the 30 volatile organics present in these new primaries, using gas chromatography with a hydrogen flame ionization detector coupled with cryogenic preconcentration. The linear regression analysis showed excellent agreement among the standards for each compound. Similar mixtures containing many of these compounds in treated aluminum gas cylinders have been evaluated over time and have shown stability for as much as 10 years. The development of these 30-component primary standards led to the preparation and certification of a reissue of Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1804 at the nominal amount-of-substance fraction of 5 nmol/mol for each analyte. A lot of 20 cylinders containing the mixture was prepared at NIST following previously demonstrated protocols for preparation of the cylinders. Each cylinder was analyzed against one cylinder from the lot, designated as the "lot standard," for each of the 30 compounds. As a result of the uncertainty analysis, the data showed that rather than declaring the lot homogeneous with a much higher uncertainty, each cylinder could be individually certified. The expanded uncertainty limits ranged from 1.5 to 10% for 28 of the 30 analytes, with two of the analytes having uncertainties as high as 19% in those SRM cylinders certified. Due to stability issues and some high uncertainties for a few analytes in 2 of the samples, 18 of the 20 candidate SRM samples were certified. These volatile organic gas mixtures represent the most complex gas SRMs developed at NIST.
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Affiliation(s)
- George C Rhoderick
- Analytical Chemistry Division and Statistical Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8393, USA.
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27
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Sanchez JM, Sacks RD. Development of a Multibed Sorption Trap, Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography, and Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry System for the Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds in Human Breath. Anal Chem 2006; 78:3046-54. [PMID: 16642992 DOI: 10.1021/ac060053k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A method for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at sub-trace levels in breath samples based on a multibed sorption trap for the collection and concentration of VOCs, a comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatograph (GCxGC) for the separation of complex mixtures, and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer detector is designed and developed. The good performance of the trap tube device developed for the concentration together with the high sensitivity and separation power of the GCxGC results in a powerful system. In the analysis of samples, more than 100 different compounds are detected of which between 65 and 85 are clearly identified. A total of approximately 250 different compounds are observed in all the samples evaluated of which 142 are identified. A preliminary study to evaluate breath biomarkers for active smoking is performed. The levels of previously described biomarkers are found to be strongly time-dependent with amounts found approximately 1 h after smoking returning to the levels found in nonsmoking volunteers. However, 2,5-dimethylfuran, 2-methylfuran, and furan are found to be effective biomarkers given that they were only found in samples taken from smokers and could still be detected more than 2 h after smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Sanchez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, and Department of Chemistry, University of Girona, 17071-Girona, Spain.
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Whiting JJ, Sacks RD. Evaluation of split/splitless operation and rapid heating of a multi-bed sorption trap used for gas chromatography analysis of large-volume air samples. J Sep Sci 2006; 29:218-27. [PMID: 16524095 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.200500276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The effects of split-flow operation and rapid trap heating on injection-plug widths from an electrically heated, microscale, multibed sorption trap were evaluated. The sorption trap has been designed to quantitatively collect volatile organic compounds from large-volume vapor samples and inject them into a gas chromatograph. Previous trap designs resulted in injection-plug widths of typically a second or more, and this significantly degraded chromatographic resolution, particularly for early-eluting sample components and for high-speed separations. Injection-plug widths are determined by the heating rate of the trap during sample desorption and the volumetric flow rate of carrier gas through the trap. The effects of the heating rate of the trap and carrier gas velocity through the trap on the injection-plug widths of pentane, octane, and undecane were studied. Carrier gas velocity through the trap was increased by splitting the flow coming from the trap between the column and a vent. This decreases transport time from the trap to the column, and thus decreases injection-plug widths. The heating rate for the trap was increased by increasing the applied voltage in the range from 4 to 30 V. Increasing the heating rate decreases the time required to desorb the analytes from the sorbent bed, thus decreasing injection-plug width. Injection-plug widths as small as 89, 210, and 520 ms were obtained in the split mode with very fast heating rates for n-pentane, noctane, and n-undecane, respectively. The effect of split ratio on resolving power, peak height, and peak width was also evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua J Whiting
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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