Confident identification of unknowns using GC Orbitrap MS

The identification of unknown compounds in one of the most challenging tasks for analytical chemists due to the wide scope of the analysis and the importance of arriving at a confident conclusion. The challenges exist from generic sample preparation, through to instrumental detection and software processing to isolate and make confident compound identifications. The applications of extractable and leachable impurities in food or bio/pharmaceutical products, food safety and metabolomics are areas where unknown’s analysis is essential. Finding a high risk leached impurity in the production pipeline or a food contaminant can lead to costly delays or product withdrawal. High resolution accurate mass spectrometry (HRAM) using Orbitrap technology offers a new dimension in confidence for rapid, simple unknown identification. We present workflows for unknown identification using GC Orbitrap based mass spectrometry and spectral libraries that can allow you to insure that a comprehensive picture of your sample is obtained.

Presenter: Dominic Roberts (Product Marketing Manager GC/GC-MS EMEA, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Runcorn, UK)