Vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy as a new tool for GC analysis of terpenes in flavors and fragrances

Abstract

Background: Traditional detectors such as flame ionization detection and MS have issues with coeluting isomers like terpenes; however, unique vacuum UV (VUV) absorbance spectra can be used to deliberately compress chromatography. Objective: Deconvolution capabilities under various run conditions of GC-MS and GC-VUV are compared. Methods: A standard terpenes mix and tea tree essential oil were run on both GC-MS (63 and 14 min run times) and GC-VUV (22, 11, and 7 min run times). Results: The three GC-VUV methods showed good precision for 10 terpenes, as well as with the 63 min GC-MS method. The 14 min GC-MS method struggled precisely quantifying some terpenes. Highlights: GC-VUV allows for faster run times while providing the same level of quantitative accuracy.