Sampling of volatile components using a PTV in the solvent split mode

Abstract

Several packing materials were evaluated for their sampling performance with a cold programmed temperature vaporizing injector operated in the solvent split (solvent elimination) mode. Evaluations were made by comparing accuracy and precision of the data for mixtures of n-alkanes, ethyl esters, n-alcohols, and carboxylic acids covering polarity and volatility ranges typical of compounds present in food samples. Tenax exhibits the most desirable retention characteristics. Careful selection of the experimental conditions lowers losses of volatile compounds by co-evaporation with the solvent and allows a reliably quantitative analysis. Coefficients of variation of relative (normalized) peak areas and absolute peak area ratios of each compound to the standard are generally less than 2%.