gaskromatografiolfaktometri

Gas chromatography-olfactometry, often abbreviated as GC-O, is an analytical technique used to identify and quantify volatile compounds responsible for odor. It combines the separation power of gas chromatography (GC) with the sensory detection capabilities of a human assessor. In GC-O, a sample is injected into a gas chromatograph, where its components are separated based on their volatility and interaction with the stationary phase.

As each separated component elutes from the GC column, it is split into two streams. One stream is directed to a standard detector, such as a flame ionization detector (FID), which provides quantitative information about the presence and amount of the compound. The second stream is directed to a sniffing port, where a trained assessor inhales the effluent and records the presence, intensity, and qualitative description of any perceived odor.

This allows for the identification of odor-active compounds that might otherwise be present at concentrations below the detection limit of conventional GC detectors. The assessor's sensory perception acts as a highly selective and sensitive detector for odorants. GC-O is widely applied in fields like food science, flavor and fragrance analysis, environmental monitoring, and the study of perfumes and essential oils to understand the chemical basis of aroma.