GC-MS

GC-MS or Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry is a method that combines the features of gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify different substances within a test sample.

Overview

Applications of GC-MS include drug detection, fire investigation, environmental analysis, explosives investigation, and identification of unknown samples, including that of material samples obtained from planet Mars during probe missions as early as the 1970s. GC-MS can also be used in airport security to detect substances in luggage or on human beings. Additionally, it can identify trace elements in materials that were previously thought to have disintegrated beyond identification.

Process

The GC-MS process is carried out in two steps:

1. Gas-liquid chromatography (GC): Here, the sample is vaporized and injected onto the head of the chromatographic column. The sample is transported through the column by the flow of inert, gaseous mobile phase. The column itself contains a liquid stationary phase which is adsorbed onto the surface of an inert solid.
2. Mass spectrometry (MS): The compounds analyzed by GC-MS are primarily organic compounds that have a set of physical properties allowing for the molecules to be vaporized at a certain stage of the GC-MS process.

Applications

GC-MS is used in a wide range of applications including:

• Drug detection: GC-MS is considered the gold standard for forensic substance identification because it is used to perform a specific test. A specific test positively identifies the actual presence of a particular substance in a given sample.
• Environmental analysis: GC-MS is used for detecting pollutants in the environment.
• Explosives investigation: It is used in the field of explosives investigation. It allows for the detection and identification of trace levels of explosive materials.
• Food, beverage and perfume analysis: In the food, beverage and perfume industry, GC-MS is used for determining the ingredients and additives in the products, like for wine and beer making, aroma, and flavor analyses.

See Also

• Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry
• Gas chromatography–infrared spectroscopy
• Pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

References

GC-MS Resources
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