gázkromatográfiaillatlokalizációval

Gázkromatográfia illatlokalizációval, or Gas Chromatography-Olfactometry (GC-O), is an analytical technique that couples gas chromatography with human sensory evaluation. It is used to identify and characterize volatile compounds responsible for specific odors in complex mixtures. The process involves separating the volatile components of a sample using a gas chromatograph. As these components elute from the GC column, they are split into two streams. One stream is directed to a standard detector (e.g., mass spectrometer, flame ionization detector) for quantitative analysis and identification of the chemical compounds. The other stream is directed to an olfactometry port, where a trained human assessor sniffs the effluent.

The assessor's role is crucial. They identify the eluting compounds that possess a distinct odor and note the retention time at which the odor is perceived. By comparing the retention times from the human assessor with those from the standard detector, researchers can determine which specific chemical compounds are responsible for a particular smell. This allows for the pinpointing of odor-active compounds, even if they are present in very low concentrations and might be overlooked by conventional detectors alone. GC-O is widely applied in various fields, including food science, environmental analysis, perfumery, and the study of biological scents, to understand and control odor profiles.