Impact of the GC-MS Injection Solvent and the Analyte Concentration on Relative Responses for common Extractables

Abstract

Sample introduction in the GC-MS analysis is a relatively complex, multistep process, where usually a liquid sample is introduced to an injector, evaporated, and transferred to the GC column. To achieve reliable quantitation, the process must be well controlled. In the past decade or so, GC-MS based relative responses were evaluated for hundreds of extractables with the benefit of using those relative response factors for quantitation or to create databases to somewhat bridge the existing gap to estimate the amount of non-identified analytes. No data has yet been published indicating how relative responses are impacted by different injection solvents, or when the evaluation level is addressing the sub µg/mL levels. This paper presents data sets for 74 impurities (0.5-5 µg/mL range), with multiple internal standards, using 8 injection vehicles. Based on the presented data, the injection vehicle has a significant impact on the relative response factors, and therefore the quantitative assignment of the impurities.