Gas chromatography is a superior separation technique for many compounds. However, fractionation of GC eluates for compound isolation and/or post column analysis is not straightforward and existing platforms can collect only a limited number of fractions. A new and fully automated fractionation approach based on post-column infusion of a preheated volatile solvent is presented here. It enables collection of microfractions (5 sec or larger) and is capable to collect a full GC separation in up to 384 fractions with parallel mass spectrometric detection.
In addition, the high repeatability of the fraction collection process allows multiple fractionation rounds of the same sample for increasing the total amount of collected compounds. Finally, bioassay testing of the fractions was performed as proof of concept for toxicity screening of environmental samples.
Jeroen Kool, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam