Abstract

A REVIEW ON GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY (GC-MS)

Sathe Komal Pramod*, Khedkar Amol Navnath and Sathe Mahesh Pramod

Abstract

Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is an analytical method that combines the features of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. As the name implies, it is actually two techniques that are combined to form a single method of analyzing mixtures of chemicals. It is one of the most accurate tools for analyzing environmental samples. GC-MS is used both for the qualitative identification and for the quantitative measurement of individual components in complex mixtures. GC/MS is the most mature chromatography mass spectrometry coupling technology, suitable for the analysis of metabolites with low polarity, low boiling point, or volatile after being derivatized. Applications of GC-MS include drug detection, fire investigation, explosives investigation, academic research, Astrochemistry and identification of unknown samples. It can identify trace elements in materials that were previously thought to have disintegrated beyond identification. Selected applications show that GC-MS is an integral and complimentary part of many field studies involving organic compound detection and determination. This article is prepared with an aim to review different aspects of GC-MS, such as principle, instrumentation, working, applications and advantages.

Keywords: Gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, instrumentation, detectors, applications.