gázelemzésestömegspektrometria

Gázelemzéses tömegspektrometria, often abbreviated as GC-MS, is an analytical technique that combines the separation capabilities of gas chromatography (GC) with the detection and identification power of mass spectrometry (MS). This powerful combination allows for the identification and quantification of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds in a wide range of samples.

In a GC-MS system, the sample is first introduced into the gas chromatograph. The GC separates the components of the sample based on their physical and chemical properties, such as boiling point and polarity, as they pass through a stationary phase within a column. Compounds that elute from the GC column are then directly introduced into the mass spectrometer.

The mass spectrometer ionizes the eluted compounds, typically through electron ionization. These ions are then separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio. The MS detector records the abundance of each ion, generating a mass spectrum. This mass spectrum serves as a unique fingerprint for each compound, allowing for its identification by comparing it to spectral libraries.

GC-MS is widely used in various fields, including environmental monitoring for pollutants, forensic science for drug and explosive analysis, food and beverage quality control, and pharmaceutical research for impurity profiling. Its sensitivity and specificity make it an indispensable tool for complex mixture analysis.