Gas chromatography (GC) is a powerful analytical technique used to separate, identify, and quantify compounds in a mixture. Applicable to gas, liquid, and solid samples, GC analyzes compounds by separating and quantifying them, showcasing data in a chromatogram. Industries like food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, environmental monitoring, forensic testing, and clinical research use GC to ensure product quality and safety. Since developing our first GC machine in 1956, Shimadzu has refined and optimized a full suite of gas chromatography instruments, prioritizing user experience and accuracy.
How does gas chromatography work?
The atomization of the analyte in the sample into individual atoms is carried out with the help of a gas flame (flame AAS) or an electrically heated graphite furnace (GF AAS). For flame AAS, the sample solution is nebulized and carried into the flame, while for GF AAS the solution is put in the graphite furnace first and atomized there through high temperatures.
GC analysis starts by injecting a small sample into a gas chromatography instrument. The sample is vaporized and transported by an inert carrier gas like helium or nitrogen (the mobile phase) through a column coated with a stationary phase. As the sample travels through the column, components separate based on their interactions with the stationary phase. Each component exits the column at different times, detected by various gas chromatography detectors, providing a unique retention time that aids in identification and quantification. The result is a chromatogram. To measure an unknown sample concentration, compare its retention time and area to a standard sample. Shimadzu is renowned for precision in GC analysis, offering advanced GC instruments with tailored features and innovations.
Key components of a gas chromatograph
Shimadzu gas chromatography instruments include:
- Injector:Introduces the sample through the GC liner, ensuring optimal vaporization and transfer.
- Column:The heart of the GC system where separation occurs. Various columns are used based on analysis requirements.
- Detector:Identifies and quantifies the separated components.
Gas chromatography applications
Common gas chromatography applications include:
- Pharmaceutical:Ensuring purity and concentration of drugs and cosmetics.
- Environmental:Detecting pollutants in air, water, and soil.
- Food:Analyzing flavors, fragrances, allergens, and contaminants.
- Petrochemical: Quality control of fuels and petrochemical products.
- Forensic: Identifying substances in criminal investigations, such as drugs and explosives.
- Clinical:Analyzing biological samples to detect and quantify drugs, metabolites, and biomarkers.
We provide support for a wide array of machinery within numerous laboratories. Servicing equipment, both old and new, for a variety of processes. We cover equipment for different types of chromatography, including Gas Chromatography (GC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (LC), along with spectroscopy, and others.
We are able to deliver maintenance for a range of brands including Agilent, Perkin Elmer, Shimadzu, Thermo, Waters and many more.