Chromatography Forum

We are having trouble to get goods result with our 'odor' analyses. We are unable to detect MIB in the low ng/l range (<10).
We are using an LLE with 500ml of sample (drinking water) and CH2Cl2 as solvent. In the past we have used a SPE extraction but that did not provide a better signal and introduced a lot of noise (leachables from the plastic).

instrument: 50µl PTV-injection on a GC MS/MS (Thermo TSQ quantum)

There are a lot of application notes on SPME. But is this technique robust enough when using low concentrations?
does anyone use Chemical ionisation? it might help to get a m/z that is not so much affected by background noise as m/z 95 is.

thanks for your advise, I hope I gave enough info, if not please ask.

MB

Try searching for HS-SPME methods. The lower the concentrations the more reproducible the results using SPME. I am sure that Supelco would be happy to assist you in your research as they market this technique.

They may already have a method available to share with you.

Best wishes,

Rod

I agree with Rod. You will find that SPME is much, much easier as well.

thanks for your advise, I'll have word with my boss