Enhancing GCMS analysis of trace compounds using a new dynamic baseline compensation algorithm to reduce background interference

The advantages of mass spectrometry (MS) in combination with gas chromatography (GC) – in terms of providing both qualitative and quantitative information are well known. However, confident identification and accurate measurement of trace toxic and odorous species at the lowest levels of interest may be compromised by chromatographic anomalies such as; column bleed, extended solvent tails, air /water interference and unresolved sample matrix components. To address this issue, a new software algorithm has been developed for reprocessing stored GCMS data. It uses an innovative mathematical approach to distinguish and eliminate background interference from the mass ions contributing to real chromatographic peaks, even at the lowest levels. This should be of tangible benefit to any GCMS work involving detection and measurement of trace target compounds in complex uncharacterised samples – environmental applications, homeland defence, forensic studies, food tests, materials emissions tests, flavour/fragrance profiling, odor monitoring, etc.. The performance and potential advantages of the new software to trace GCMS applications generally have been evaluated and are reported here. The examples presented include applications requiring trace enrichment carried out using thermal desorption (TD)-GCMS and high speed analyses carried out using fastGC with TOFMS.