HPLC-GC-FID

Separation Workflow

Sample extract first enters the liquid chromatograph where it is sorted based on its polarity. This step is crucial for separating the mineral oil fractions from the naturally occurring fats and waxes in the food or the polymer itself. Once separated, the relevant fractions are automatically injected into the gc-fid part of the system.

This seamless transfer prevents the loss of volatile components and reduces the risk of human error during sample handling.

Analytical Power

Resolving the complex humps of hydrocarbons found in recycled materials requires the high resolution provided by this method. In hplc-gc-fid, the gas chromatograph spreads the molecules out by their boiling points, allowing the detector to count the carbon atoms in each fraction. This level of detail is necessary to satisfy the strict safety requirements for food contact materials in many jurisdictions.

It allows the chemist to distinguish between harmless paraffin waxes and more concerning aromatic oils.

Method Validation

Ensuring the accuracy of the results requires regular calibration with known standards. Because the hplc-gc-fid system is complex, it demands high-quality solvents and precise control of the flow rates in both stages. The data produced are used to verify that the functional barriers in a package are working as intended.

A clean signal from this instrument is the final proof that a moulding process is not introducing harmful contaminants into the product.