Quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker: An effective method for the chemical characterization of wood vinegar

Abstract

Wood vinegar is a complex mixture of organic compounds. QAMS is a relatively simple and cost-effective method which is used widely in recent years. In this study, quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker (QAMS) was applied to quantify the main volatile chemical components in wood vinegar for the first time. Using acetic acid as an internal reference compound, the relative correction factors of a further 19 chemical volatile components were obtained. 20 wood vinegar prepared from different lignocellulosic biomass, and at different pyrolysis temperatures, were analyzed by QAMS and the data compared with those obtained using an internal standard (phenethyl acetate) method. The results showed that the precision and repeatability of the QAMS method were good, and the responses obtained for each compound using GC/MS were linear over the corresponding concentration range (R2 ≥ 0.999). The average spike recoveries of 20 volatile compounds from wood vinegar ranged from 92.65% to 105.93% (RSD ＜ 7%, n = 6). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the results obtained from the analysis of three batches of wood vinegar samples (RSD < 2%) using both methods. The volatile composition of samples obtained from wood vinegar prepared from the pyrolysis of different materials and at different temperatures were significantly different. The successful application of QAMS to the quantitative analysis of the composition of wood vinegar not only may provide a theoretical reference for further developments in the production, pyrolysis conditions, and modes of action for wood vinegar, but also provides ideas for the application of QAMS in other fields.