The Working Group “Separation Science” as part of the German Chemical Society (GDCh) tenders the Ernst Bayer award for an outstanding publication in the field of analytical separation techniques to young scientists.
The 2015 award winner, Marco Nestola, received the prize personally during the 26th PhD-Conference, realized by the WG Separation Science from 10th to 12th of January 2016 in Hohenroda, Germany.
Dr. Martin Vogel, Representative of the German Chemical Society, presents the Award to Marco Nestola
The Award Committee honored the publication “Universal Route to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Analysis in Foodstuff: Two-Dimensional Heart-Cut Liquid Chromatography–Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry”, published in Anal. Chem., 2015, 87 (12), pp 6195–6203.
Abstract:
Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in complex foodstuff is associated with complicated and work-intensive sample preparation. Chromatographic interference has to be faced in many situations. The scope of the current work was the development of a highly efficient two-dimensional heart-cut LC-LC-GC-MS method. Detection was performed with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) to allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the obtained data in terms of cleanup efficiency. Additionally, routine detection was performed with single quadrupole MS. An easy and quick generic sample preparation protocol was realized as a first step. During method development, focus was given to optimizing HPLC cleanup for complex foodstuff. Silica-, polymeric-, and carbon-based HPLC phases were tested. Coupling of silica gel to π-electron acceptor modified silica gel showed the best cleanup properties. A four rotary valve configuration allowed the usage of a single binary HPLC pump. Screening of several fatty and nonfatty food matrices showed the absence of unwanted matrix compounds in the cleaned-up PAH fraction down to the low picogram range using TOF-MS. Limits of quantitation (LOQ) were below 0.1 μg/kg for all EU priority PAHs. Recovery rates ranged from 82 to 111%. Validation data fully complied with EU Regulation 836/2011. Sample preparation was possible in 20 min. Interlacing of HPLC and GC allowed an average method runtime of 40 min per sample.
The work was realized at the University of Duisburg-Essen, where Marco is part of the Working Group of Professor Dr. Torsten Schmidt and in a collaboration with Axel Semrau Gmbh
Restek Corporation is very pleased about the choice of the committees, for we have supported this work and other, comprehensive LC-GC technique related works of Marco Nestola since years. The shown work could benefit from our Restek Rxi-PAH GC column as well as from our PAH Reference Materials, dedicated to European Food regulation demands, like the EU 15+1 PAH standard and the EU PAH Interference standard, which is used as a System Performance Test.
Extraordinary Young Scientist Marco Nestola has improved the hyphenation of LC and GC for various topics, wherein his MOSH/MOAH approach is also reflected by products in our portfolio, e.g. the MOSH/MOAH cutting standard. Please refer to “Accurately Determine Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons in Food Using Restek’s New MOSH/MOAH Reference Standard”
The practical and commercial realization of Marco Nestola’s work, e.g. the MOSH/MOAH LC-GC-System and the new PAH system, based on the work described above, the LC-GC-System PAK can be found at Axel Semrau GmbH, where you may also find Restek products as strategic core products inside.
This post first appeared on ChromaBLOGraphy: Restek's Chromatography, please read the originial post: here
