Planning to use a PLOT column with a mass spec? You may wish to review this first.

ByAudrey Crater

Please note that (generally speaking) Restek does not recommend using any particle-containing GC column when using a mass spectrometer as the detector.  Particles will likely make their way into the detector/pumps even with a particle trap installed.  However, if you do plan to use a PLOT column with a mass spec, you should consider the suggestions below to minimize the number of particles which may make their way into your detector.

A Peer-Reviewed Workflow for the Analysis of Cannabis-Infused Chocolates

ByAudrey Crater

At Restek, we understand that cannabis testing labs demand reliable information to help them make the right choices when developing robust methods capable of complying with stringent regulations. With this in mind, we developed a simple approach for the determination of pesticides, mycotoxins, and cannabinoids in chocolate samples.

Pesticides Are Like Siblings, They Don’t Always Get Along, Part 3 – Opened Ampul Stability

ByAudrey Crater

Two of my RESTEK colleagues, Landon Wiest and Jana Hepner, have posted parts one Pesticides are like Siblings – some get along well and some don’t – No. . .Really? and two Pesticides are like Siblings, They Don’t Always Get Along part 2 – now with the GC mix! on this topic showing what happens to the 200+ pesticides in our LC and GC multiresidue CRM kits when the mixes are all combined together into a single mixture then used to detect pesticides in celery matrix. Both confirmed with their study results that once pesticides ampules are mixed together and stored for a number of days some pesticides degraded immediately while others degraded over a longer timeframe. 

Evaluation of Dispersive and Cartridge Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) Cleanups for Multiresidue Pesticides in QuEChERS Extracts of Finished Tobacco Using GCxGC-TOFMS

ByAudrey Crater

We compared the efficacy of dSPE and cSPE cleanup methods for multiresidue pesticide analysis of QuEChERS extracts of finished tobacco products using GCxGC-TOFMS. Cleanup with dSPE tubes containing 7.5 mg of GCB and 25 mg of PSA produced better results than other methods, with average recoveries of 92% and 91% for 500 ppb and 50 ppb fortifications respectively.

Analytical Method for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Yerba Mate Tea Using Modified QuEChERS, Solid Phase Extraction and GC-TOFMS and GC-MS/MS

Analytical Method for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Yerba Mate Tea Using Modified QuEChERS, Solid Phase Extraction and GC-TOFMS and GC-MS/MS

ByAudrey Crater

This application note describes the development of an analytical method for PAHs in tea that allows analysts to more quickly and accurately characterize target PAHs. Sample preparation is based on a modified QuEChERS extraction and solid phase extraction sample cleanup. Both GC-TOFMS and GC-MS/MS techniques were used and analyses were optimized for resolution of isobaric compounds, as well as for maintaining a reasonable analysis time.

Comparing Pesticide Residues in Amish and Commercially Grown Strawberries and Spinach Using QuEChERS, Various dSPE Sorbents, and GC-TOFMS

ByAudrey Crater

QuEChERS extraction, dSPE cleanup, and GC-TOFMS analysis were used to assess pesticide residue levels in strawberry and spinach from both commercial and Amish growers. Various dSPE sorbent products were compared to determine which were most effective.