GC-MS

PRESENTED BY – RAKESH KORE

M . PHARM . PHARMACEUTICAL
CHEMISTRY GGV BILASPUR
INTRODUCTION
• Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-
MS) is an analytical method that combines the features
of gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry to
identify different substances within a test sample.

• GC-MS include drug detection, fire investigation,
environmental analysis, explosives investigation, and
identification of unknown samples.
PRINCIPLE
• The GC works on the principle that a mixture will
separate into individual substances when heated.

• The heated gases are carried through a column with an

inert gas (such as helium). As the separated substances
emerge from the column opening, they flow into the MS.

• Mass spectrometry identifies compounds by the mass of

the analyte molecule .
INSTRUMENTATION
• It first generates ions, separates and then detects these
ions. More specifically, the eluate (GC outlet) enters the
MS and flows into the ion source, where ionization
occurs. Once ions are generated, they are accelerated and
directed to the mass analyzers and eventually gets
detected and measured.
• Both techniques involve gaseous compounds and high
temperature. one major difference is the pressure
requirement; GC operates at atmospheric pressure while
MS requires low pressure and high vacuum state (10-3to
10-4 Pa).
• To successfully overcome the pressure and connect the
GC to the MS, the interface and vacuum pumping system
play a crucial role.
ION SOURCE
• In GCMS, the ion source converts gaseous molecules
into charged ions by means of electron bombardment or
collision/ reaction with a reagent gas. Electron
ionization (EI) and Chemical ionization (CI) are the
main ionization modes used in GCMS.
Mass Analyzers
• Triple Quadrupole MS/MS system is one of the
more prevalent MS/MS systems in the industry.
• These mass analyzers have different separating
and operating principles
1 . Continuous mass analyzer
2 . Pulsed mass analyzer

• Continuous mass analyzers allow an

uninterrupted supply of ions to enter while pulsed
mass analyzers require the ions to be introduced
only at a specific time point.
• In a pulsed mass analyzer, ions from a continuous
flow (such as a GC flow) are usually accumulated and
introduced in batches/ pulses.
Application’s
• Pharmaceutical Applications
1 . Identification of impurities in active pharmaceutical
ingredients.
2 . Synthesis and characterization of compounds and in
pharmaceutical biotechnology.

• Forensic Applications
1 . Forensic toxicology to identify poisons and steroids in
biological specimens
2 . Anti-doping labs to detect performance enhancing drugs
such as anabolic steroids
• Medicine
1 . To trace levels of compounds present in the urine of
patients with genetic metabolic disorders.
2 . To detect the presence of oils in ointments, creams, and
lotions.

• Environmental Monitoring
1 . It is widely used in the detection of dibenzofurans,
dioxins, herbicides, sulfur, pesticides, phenols, and
chlorophenols in air, soil, and water.

Thank you