Evaluating Inert Flow Path Components and Entire Flow Path for GC/MS/MS Pesticide Analysis0 pages

Evaluating Inert Flow Path
Components and Entire Flow Path for
GC/MS/MS Pesticide Analysis
Application Note
Food Testing & Agriculture
Author
Abstract
Limian Zhao
Flow path inertness plays a critical role in pesticide analysis accuracy and precision,
especially for active analytes such as organophosphate pesticides. The Agilent Inert
Flow Path, including Ultra Inert columns and liners, Ultra Inert gold seals, and inert
split/splitless inlet, provides excellent surface inertness through the entire flow
path, prevents loss of analyte response and peak shape distortion, and thus delivers
reliable qualitative and quantitative analysis of pesticides. Other inert supplies,
including UltiMetal Plus flexible metal ferrules and capillary flow technology
devices, are also highly recommended for pesticide analysis in complicated
matrices.
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Introduction
Flow path inertness plays a critical role in accurate, precise and reliable analysis of
pesticides, especially for sensitive pesticides at trace levels. Active sites on the flow
path surface can cause adsorption and degradation of active compounds, resulting
in poor peak shape, loss of response, inaccurate integration, and poor quantitation.
It is critical to minimize interaction of active analytes along the GC flow path,
starting with the injector, to the column, and finally to the detector. The column and
inlet liner contribute more than 90% of the contact surface after a sample is injected
into the GC system. Other surfaces that the sample can contact include inlet seal,
inlet weldments, ferrules, capillary flow technology (CFT) devices, and detectors. All
of these surfaces can cause interaction with active analytes, resulting in poor or
inaccurate results. To achieve the best inertness of the entire flow path, it is
important to use an inert column and liner in combination with other inert supplies.