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Organic analysis equipment

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry systems are used for the determination of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs): chemicals which can exert profound and deleterious effects on wildlife populations and human health.

Organic Analysis image

GC-MS and LC-MS analysis suites are also available where routine metabolomics analysis is performed.

Principal Contacts for Organic analysis:

GC-MS Suite Facilities

Thermo Scientific Trace DSQII GC-MS instruments (x3).  These are located in rooms SG11 and SG12.  Each is fitted with a CTC CombiPAL autosampler, PTV and split/splitless injectors.  The CombiPAL can be configured for liquid injection, headspace analysis or volatiles analysis using SPME fibers.

Agilent Technologies 5975B inert MSD GC-MS fitted with a CTC CombiPAL autosampler, PTV and cold on-column injectors.  This instrument can be coupled to a Markes Intenational ATD system.  The instrument is located in room SG 10.

Markes international Auto Secure Thermal Desorption system consisting of a Unity thermal desorber and 2x UltrA TD autosamplers.  This instrument can be configured for split sample recollection using the second UltrA. The instrument is located in room SG 10.

Agilent 5890 Series II GC configured for manual on-column injections (this is an antiquated instrument with an antiquated data system).  This instrument is currently in storage.

Contacts: Tom Shepherd (Facility Manager), Gary Dobson.

Routine use LC-MS

Thermo Scientific LCQ Deca with Accela LC System

The LCQ deca system is an ion trap mass spectrometer with integer mass accuracy and performs full scan and MSexperiments. Its main use at the moment is small molecule work (80-2000 amu) mainly related to routine metabolomics.

TheAccela  LC System front end enables both traditional HPLC and UPLC analysis (maximum working pressure 600 bar).

Thermo Scientific LCQ Deca with Surveyor LC System

The LCQ deca system is an ion trap mass spectrometer with integer mass accuracy and performs full scan and MSexperiments.  Its main use at the moment is small molecule work (80-2000 amu) mainly related routine to metabolomics.

TheSurveyor LC System front end enables traditional HPLC analysis.

Thermo Scientific LCQ Fleet with Accela LC System

The LCQ Fleet Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer delivers routine analysis of complex samples while providing full-scan and MSn  experiments.

TheAccela  LC System front end enables both traditional HPLC and UPLC analysis (maximum working pressure 600 bar).

Non Routine use LC-MS

Thermo Scientific LTQ Orbitrap XL mass spectrometer with Accela  LC System

The Orbitrap is a hybrid mass spectrometer that combines Orbitrap technology with an LTQ™ linear ion trap.  This instrument gives exact mass measurement up to four decimal places.  It is able to perform MSn experiments to help with compound elucidation in complex mixtures. Its main use at the moment is small molecule work (80-2000 amu) mainly related to metabolomics.

TheAccela  LC System front end enables both traditional HPLC and UPLC analysis (maximum working pressure 600 bar).

Agilent 6224 Accurate Mass Time of Fight TOF mass spectrometer  with 1260 Infinity Quaternary LC Pump

This instrument gives exact mass measurement up to four decimal places used for compound elucidation in complex mixtures.LC System front end enables both traditional HPLC and UPLC analysis (maximum working pressure 600 bar).

Agilent 6460 QQQ mass spectrometer with 1260 Infinity Quaternary LC Pump

This instrument has a high dynamic range and compound selectivity this lends itself to compound quantitation and will be its main function. LC System front end enables both traditional HPLC and UPLC analysis (maximum working pressure 600 bar).

All LC-MS instruments are capable to analyse in positive and negative mode and have Electrospray Ionisation (ESI) and Atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI) capabilities.

Photograph of staff and the GC-MS 600

Three Agilent GC-MS systems

In recent years, global concerns have been raised over the organic pollutants especially those which are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. These chemicals can exert profound and deleterious effects on wildlife populations and human health (e.g. interfere with the endocrine system), which are so called persistent organic pollutants [POPs] and endocrine disrupting chemicals [EDCs]. The GC-MSs are applied for the determination of these EDCs and POPs which include pesticides polyaromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs], polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDEs], phthalates, bisphenol A, estrogens, and selected pharmaceuticals. In addition, the GC-MS systems are also used for some other organics measurement like as volatile organic compounds (e.g. halogenated solvents and BTEX), amino acids and organic acids etc.

Two Agilent 6890N GC-FID and Two Agilent Series 1100 HPLC systems

The biological compounds can be thought of as bio-markers for the presence of living organisms, and can be used to elucidate the biological activity in the environment. For example, PLFA analysis can be used to investigate the bacterial and fungal populations of soils, while pigment composition analysis such as chlorophyll can provide information on the phytoplankton biomass in waters. The GCs are mainly responsible for the analysis of PLFA, alkanes and petroleum hydrocarbons etc. Except for the pigments, the HPLC systems are also used for the analysis of some organic pesticides, food stuff additives (for example, preservatives, dyes, flavour enhancers and process contaminants) and so on. 

Agilent Static Headspace Sampler (SHS)

SHS are mainly for online pre-instrument-treatment for volatile organic analysis including BTEX, THMS and halogenated solvents etc from water and soil samples.

Dionex Accelerated Solvent Extractor (ASE) and Soxhlet Extraction (SE)

ASE and SE are applied for solid samples (e.g. soil, sediment, plant and tissue samples etc) extraction of various organic compounds like as pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs, PAHs, phthalates, estrogens, selected pharmaceuticals and so on.

Phenomenex Solid phase extraction (SPE) and Supelco SPE Vacuum Manifold

SPE are used for liquid samples concentrated and extraction such as water, waste effluent and serum etc.

As above, the organic section has the capacity to determine a wide range of organic compounds found in various sample types from waters, waste effluents, sewage sludge, soils, sediments, plant and biological materials etc. Also, we are continually developing new analytical methods and techniques for emerging and new organic compounds particularly in complex industrial processes and environmental matrices.

Contact: Zulin Zhang.

Research

Areas of Interest


Printed from /research/departments/environmental-and-biochemical-sciences/analysis-equipment/organic on 19/03/24 10:25:24 AM

The James Hutton Research Institute is the result of the merger in April 2011 of MLURI and SCRI. This merger formed a new powerhouse for research into food, land use, and climate change.