Food, environmental, life science, clinical analysis

Q: How can I increase sample throughput with LC/MS Multiplexing?

LC/MS Multiplexing is a powerful strategy to maximize the productivity of a mass spectrometer. By connecting a single MS to two or more LC systems, the PAL System can manage staggered injections so that the MS is constantly analyzing samples instead of waiting for a column to finish its run and equilibrate. This approach can double or even triple your sample throughput without the cost of an additional mass spectrometer.

Q: What is Dynamic Headspace (ITEX DHS) and how does it work?

While static headspace analysis samples a fixed equilibrium volume of gas, Dynamic Headspace (DHS) is an exhaustive extraction technique that provides superior enrichment for trace-level analysis. The automated In-Tube Extraction (ITEX) process involves: Purging & Trapping: The sample is heated while an inert gas repeatedly purges the headspace. This gas flow carries the volatile compounds through a microtrap filled with a specific adsorbent material, which captures and concentrates the target analytes. Thermal Desorption: The trap is then rapidly heated, releasing the concentrated analytes as a sharp band into the GC/MS for analysis. This dynamic process allows for much lower detection limits, making it the ideal technique for demanding applications like trace VOCs analysis in environmental samples or the analysis of additives in plastics.

Q: What is SPME, what are its modes, and what are the advantages of the SPME Arrow?

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) is a solvent-free technique where a fiber coated with an extraction phase is used to isolate analytes. The PAL System automates SPME in two primary modes: Headspace SPME: The fiber is exposed to the vapor phase above a liquid or solid sample, making it ideal for the analysis of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs analysis). Immersion SPME: The fiber is dipped directly into a liquid sample to extract less volatile or non-volatile analytes. While traditional SPME fibers are effective, the newer, more robust SPME Arrow offers superior performance. Its unique design combines a much larger surface area and volume of extraction phase with a robust metal core and piercing head, resulting in higher sensitivity, faster extractions, and a significantly longer lifetime. Learn more about the PAL System's SPME capabilities.

Q: What is automated µSPE and what are its applications?

µSPE, or Micro SPE, is a miniaturized and automated Solid Phase Extraction technique that operates in two primary modes for highly efficient sample preparation: Pass-Through Cleanup: In this mode, the sample extract is passed through the cartridge. The sorbent is chosen to retain matrix interferences while allowing the analytes of interest to pass through for collection and analysis. This is a common approach for cleaning up complex extracts, such as in QuEChERS workflows. Bind-and-Elute (Enrichment): Here, the sorbent is selected to bind and retain the target analytes while the sample matrix is washed away. The purified analytes are then eluted using a small volume of a different solvent. This mode is ideal for analyte enrichment and fractionation. The versatility of µSPE, determined by the cartridge chemistry, enables a wide range of applications, from general cleanup to targeted analysis like PFAS analysis using weak anion exchange (WAX) cartridges, or fractionation in metabolomics analysis. Key advantages are minimized solvent use, cleaner extracts without sample dilution, and improved data quality, leading to higher instrument uptime.

Q: Can the PAL System automate FAME analysis?

Yes, the PAL System excels at the automated sample preparation for FAME. It automates the entire transesterification process for Fatty Acid Methyl Esters, including the precise addition of reagents for saponification and methylation, liquid-liquid extraction, and final injection into the GC. This not only improves the reproducibility and throughput of FAME analysis but also enhances lab safety by minimizing manual handling of hazardous reagents like BF3-methanol during FAME derivatization.

Automated Sample Preparation Techniques

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1. How can I increase sample throughput with LC/MS Multiplexing?

LC/MS Multiplexing is a powerful strategy to maximize the productivity of a mass spectrometer. By connecting a single MS to two or more LC systems, the PAL System can manage staggered injections so that the MS is constantly analyzing samples instead of waiting for a column to finish its run and equilibrate. This approach can double or even triple your sample throughput without the cost of an additional mass spectrometer.

2. What is Dynamic Headspace (ITEX DHS) and how does it work?

While static headspace analysis samples a fixed equilibrium volume of gas, Dynamic Headspace (DHS) is an exhaustive extraction technique that provides superior enrichment for trace-level analysis. The automated In-Tube Extraction (ITEX) process involves:

Purging & Trapping: The sample is heated while an inert gas repeatedly purges the headspace. This gas flow carries the volatile compounds through a microtrap filled with a specific adsorbent material, which captures and concentrates the target analytes.
Thermal Desorption: The trap is then rapidly heated, releasing the concentrated analytes as a sharp band into the GC/MS for analysis. This dynamic process allows for much lower detection limits, making it the ideal technique for demanding applications like trace VOCs analysis in environmental samples or the analysis of additives in plastics.

3. What is SPME, what are its modes, and what are the advantages of the SPME Arrow?

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) is a solvent-free technique where a fiber coated with an extraction phase is used to isolate analytes. The PAL System automates SPME in two primary modes:

Headspace SPME: The fiber is exposed to the vapor phase above a liquid or solid sample, making it ideal for the analysis of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs analysis).
Immersion SPME: The fiber is dipped directly into a liquid sample to extract less volatile or non-volatile analytes.

While traditional SPME fibers are effective, the newer, more robust SPME Arrow offers superior performance. Its unique design combines a much larger surface area and volume of extraction phase with a robust metal core and piercing head, resulting in higher sensitivity, faster extractions, and a significantly longer lifetime. Learn more about the PAL System's SPME capabilities.

4. What is automated µSPE and what are its applications?

µSPE, or Micro SPE, is a miniaturized and automated Solid Phase Extraction technique that operates in two primary modes for highly efficient sample preparation:

Pass-Through Cleanup: In this mode, the sample extract is passed through the cartridge. The sorbent is chosen to retain matrix interferences while allowing the analytes of interest to pass through for collection and analysis. This is a common approach for cleaning up complex extracts, such as in QuEChERS workflows.
Bind-and-Elute (Enrichment): Here, the sorbent is selected to bind and retain the target analytes while the sample matrix is washed away. The purified analytes are then eluted using a small volume of a different solvent. This mode is ideal for analyte enrichment and fractionation.

The versatility of µSPE, determined by the cartridge chemistry, enables a wide range of applications, from general cleanup to targeted analysis like PFAS analysis using weak anion exchange (WAX) cartridges, or fractionation in metabolomics analysis. Key advantages are minimized solvent use, cleaner extracts without sample dilution, and improved data quality, leading to higher instrument uptime.

Key Application Areas

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1. How is the PAL System used in Proteomics and Metabolomics?

The PAL System is an essential tool for high-throughput life science research.

For Proteomics analysis: It automates labor-intensive and error-prone steps such as protein digestion, post-digestion peptide cleanup (e.g., µSPE), and precise injection into the LC/MS, ensuring the high degree of reproducibility required for comparative studies.
For Metabolomics analysis: It provides robust automation of extraction procedures (e.g., Bligh & Dyer for polar and non-polar metabolites), derivatization for GC/MS analysis, and highly precise injections, which are critical for detecting subtle metabolic changes between sample groups.

2. What solutions are available for hydrocarbon analysis (PAH, MOSH/MOAH)?

The PAL System provides robust, automated workflows for the analysis of various hydrocarbon contaminants:

For PAH analysis: In complex matrices for environmental and food safety applications, the system automates the necessary extraction, cleanup (e.g., µSPE), and injection steps. This ensures the high recovery and reproducibility critical for reliable PAH testing at trace levels.
For MOSH/MOAH analysis: The determination of Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH) and Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) is a significant challenge, particularly in food analysis. The PAL System automates the complex sample preparation, including online LC-GC coupling, to effectively fractionate the two classes and remove interferences. This high level of automation provides the reproducibility needed for reliable quantification.

3. Can the PAL System automate FAME analysis?

Yes, the PAL System excels at the automated sample preparation for FAME. It automates the entire transesterification process for Fatty Acid Methyl Esters, including the precise addition of reagents for saponification and methylation, liquid-liquid extraction, and final injection into the GC. This not only improves the reproducibility and throughput of FAME analysis but also enhances lab safety by minimizing manual handling of hazardous reagents like BF3-methanol during FAME derivatization.

4. How does the PAL System support PFAS analysis?

The PAL System provides a complete, automated solution for trace-level PFAS analysis, addressing the critical challenge of background contamination. To ensure the lowest detection limits, a dedicated range of PFAS-free consumables (syringes, tubing, vials) is available. The system's flexibility allows it to automate a variety of extraction and cleanup techniques, including online SPE, Micro SPE (µSPE), and SPME. This versatility enables reliable and reproducible results across a wide range of matrices such as food, food contact materials, and environmental samples. The PAL System is capable of automating complex, regulated workflows like EPA 1633, making it an ideal platform for applications like testing PFAS in drinking water.

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