The Power of In-Tube Extraction Dynamic Headspace (ITEX-DHS) for Trace Odorants in Water

Malodorous compounds can impart an unpleasant smell to drinking water, negatively affecting consumer experience and generating complaints to water companies. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) isoborneol, 2-methyl-isoborneol (2-MIB), 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (2,4,6-TCA), and geosmin carry disagreeable earthy and musty olfactory notes, perceived by the human nose at concentrations of a few parts per trillion (ppt).

To reach such low detection levels, an enrichment step of the analytes prior GC-MS is necessary. Within the dynamic headspace techniques, In-Tube Extraction (ITEX) is representing the simplest and most intuitive approach, better responding to the general demand for user-friendliness, reliability, large sample capacity, precision, and automated workflow.

Presenter: Samantha Bowerbank (Senior Technician, Northumbria University)

Dr. Bowerbank obtained a BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science from Northumbria University, UK and is currently in the final year of a PhD in analytical chemistry. With over 10 years’ experience in chromatography, she worked as analytical chemist at a number of pharmaceutical and chemical companies including GlaxoSmithKline, Akzonobel, P&G and FujiFilm Diosynth Biotechnologies. She is now a senior chromatography technician at NU University with the responsibility for running and managing the Applied Sciences department’s extensive chromatography laboratories containing a range of GC-FID, GC-MS, HPLC-UV, GPC, Semi prep-HPLC and LC-MS instrumentation.