The document presents field-portable GC/MS technology, emphasizing ease of use, speed, and analytical capabilities for applications in food safety and quality. It details the components, processes, and methodologies, including solid phase microextraction and specific performance metrics. Key takeaways highlight its applicability in both on-site and laboratory settings for analyzing freshness, flavor, authenticity, and contaminants.

1. Field-Portable GC/MS
Technology & applications
Dr. Joeri Vercammen
Managing Expert IS-X
www.is-x.com

2. “GC/MS DEVICES”
Ease-of-use
Speed
Price
Sensitivity
Separation power
Identification of artefacts

3. Triple quadrupole GC/MSMS
Multipurpose autosampler
Ultratrace analysis
Runtime: 45 minutes
Expert knowledge required

4. RIVM
“MOBILE CHEMICAL & BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY”

5. Dimensions: 38 cm x 39 cm x 23 cm
Weight: < 14.5 kg
Power: LiH battery
Carrier gas: Helium cartridge

6. Sample prep/extraction
GC separation
MS detection
Data processing
1
3
2
4

7. 3
2
4
Sample prep/extraction
GC separation
MS detection
Data processing

8. Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME)
 Fiber coated with polymeric material
 Expose to sample
 Enrich components
 Desorb in GC injection port

9. Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME)
 First described in 1990 by J. Pawliszyn (Waterloo, Canada)
 # 10.482 search results “SPME” in ScienceDirect
 # 7.585 search results “SPME + food”
0
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300
400
500
600
700
800
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1000
1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015
#Publications
Year

10. CUSTODION-SPME
“More robust configuration
of the classic SPME technique”

11. CUSTODION-NT
“Triple bed needle trap for dynamic
sampling at low concentration”

12. CUSTODION-ADS
“Ideal for direct sampling of
volatiles from surfaces”

13. 1
3
4
Sample prep/extraction
GC separation
MS detection
Data processing

14. Technology: Low thermal mass GC
Column: MXT-5, 5 m x 0.1 mm x 0.4 µm
Carrier: Helium @ 25 psig (EPC)
Injection: S/SL with Merlin head
Oven: 50°C (10 s) to 300°C (10 s) @ 2°C/s
R2R time: 5.00 min

15. 1
2
4
Sample prep/extraction
GC separation
MS detection
Data processing

16. Diameter: 4 mm
Trap heater: 150-180°C
Vacuum: 2-stage turbo + diaphragm
Ionisation: 70 eV
Mass range: 45 – 500 Da
Scan rate: 10 scans/s

17. 1
3
2
Sample prep/extraction
GC separation
MS detection
Data processing

18. Each datafile is processed automatically with the
software. The algorithm is proprietary and identifies peaks
based on spectral matching & retention index.
DATA PROCESSING

19. START UP PROCEDURE
 Switch instrument ON
 Wait for idle (2.00 minutes)
 Blank analysis: pass/fail?
 Inject QC standard: pass/fail?
 Start analyses

20. ❶

21. ❷

22. ❸

23. APPLICATIONS
 Shelflife & freshness
 Flavour & fragrance
 Authenticity
 Packaging
 Toxins
 Pesticides
 …

26. In vivo SPME with in vitro calibration:
Determination of off-flavor components in live fish
Z. Bai e.a., Anal. Chem. (1993) ,

27. 1
Strawberries

29. 2.00 min

30. Ethyl acetate (87%)

31. Butanoic acid, ethyl ester (86%)

32. Hexanoic acid, ethyl ester (77%)

33. 0.0E+00
5.0E+09
1.0E+10
1.5E+10
2.0E+10
2.5E+10
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Time (Days)
Butanoic acid, ethyl ester Butanoic acid, 2-methyl-, ethyl ester 1-Butanol, 3-methyl-, acetate
Hexanoic acid, ethyl ester Acetic acid, hexyl ester Benzoic acid, ethyl ester
Ethyl acetate Propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, ethyl ester

34. 0.0E+00
5.0E+09
1.0E+10
1.5E+10
2.0E+10
2.5E+10
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Time (Days)
Butanoic acid, ethyl ester Butanoic acid, 2-methyl-, ethyl ester 1-Butanol, 3-methyl-, acetate
Hexanoic acid, ethyl ester Acetic acid, hexyl ester Benzoic acid, ethyl ester
Ethyl acetate Propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, ethyl ester

35. 2
Chicken Filet

36. 0.0E+00
5.0E+08
1.0E+09
1.5E+09
2.0E+09
2.5E+09
3.0E+09
3.5E+09
4.0E+09
4.5E+09
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Time (Days)
>Disulfide, dimethyl >Dimethyl trisulfide
>Ethanol, 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)- >Benzene, 2,4-diisocyanato-1-methyl-
>2H-Benzimidazol-2-one, 1,3-dihydro-5-methyl- >Pyridine, 4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-

37. 0.0E+00
5.0E+08
1.0E+09
1.5E+09
2.0E+09
2.5E+09
3.0E+09
3.5E+09
4.0E+09
4.5E+09
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Time (Days)
>Disulfide, dimethyl >Dimethyl trisulfide
>Ethanol, 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)- >Benzene, 2,4-diisocyanato-1-methyl-
>2H-Benzimidazol-2-one, 1,3-dihydro-5-methyl- >Pyridine, 4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-

38. 3
Pistachio Nuts

39. 0.0E+00
1.0E+08
2.0E+08
3.0E+08
4.0E+08
5.0E+08
6.0E+08
7.0E+08
8.0E+08
9.0E+08
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Time (Days)
Butanal, 3-methyl- Butanal, 2-methyl-
Hexanal Ethanol, 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)-
3-Carene

40. 0.0E+00
1.0E+08
2.0E+08
3.0E+08
4.0E+08
5.0E+08
6.0E+08
7.0E+08
8.0E+08
9.0E+08
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Time (Days)
Butanal, 3-methyl- Butanal, 2-methyl-
Hexanal Ethanol, 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)-
3-Carene

41. KEY TAKE AWAYS
Easy-to-use field portable
GC/MS system with immediate
applicability in food-related
analysis.
Both ons-site as in the lab!