Coupled Separation
Hyphenated analytical instrumentation combines liquid phase separation with gas phase detection for complex chemical matrix analysis. Online liquid chromatography gas chromatography serves as the primary analytical technique for isolating and quantifying mineral oil saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons extracted from paperboard packaging. High performance liquid chromatography isolates non-polar hydrocarbon fractions on a silica column before transferring them directly to a gas chromatograph equipped with flame ionization detection.
Application scope covers mineral oil contamination testing in recycled paperboard and food contact substrates.
Analytical Instrumentation
Matrix complexity in paper extracts demands automated separation of interfering native wood lipids and synthetic waxes prior to volatile gas analysis. The liquid chromatography stage separates mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons from mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons using hexane and dichloromethane eluents. Automated interface transfers the isolated fractions into the gas chromatography column without manual sample handling, preventing volatile sample loss.
Utilizing liquid chromatography gas chromatography enables low milligram per kilogram detection limits required by European food packaging safety standards. Column maintenance and solvent purity control prevent retention time drift and high baseline background noise.
Fraction Isolation
Automated transfer valves direct specific chromatographic cuts into thermal desorption chambers without manual operator intervention. High precision retention time window settings prevent fraction loss during transfer phases.
