Retention-Time Software Reduces Cycle Times and Simplifies Analysis Reproduction on Any GC Column

The Automatic Adjustment of Retention Time (AART) function of GCMSsolution 2.5 software from Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc. (SSI) delivers dramatic time savings during analysis preparation and consistent results following a column change or trim – or even a move to an entirely different GCMS unit.

AART is one function in a suite of handy software wizards that are standard on the company’s GCMS-QP2010 Plus gas chromatograph mass spectrometer.

AART simultaneously adjusts all retention-time information for as many as 1,000 compounds from a single analysis of one n-alkane solution. The result is hours of time saved compared to manual updates or even competitive software systems that require multiple analyses to lock retention times. AART also simultaneously performs time-correction measurements for parameters such as SIM, further shortening the analysis cycle.

In addition to time savings, AART gives users accurate data – and the ability to reproduce it on any column – so methodologies can be shared with colleagues in other facilities using different equipment. Other softwares obtain modifications from only one point. AART performs corrections at multiple points from high to low boiling points, assuring accuracy over a wide range of correction times. And AART can be easily applied to an existing method by simply adding RI information.

In addition to AART, standard GCMSsolution 2.5 software also includes:

• FASST (Fast Automated SIM/Scan Technique) wizard enables the GCMS-QP2010 Plus to acquire both Scan and SIM data on one peak. It can acquire data at 50 points/second in Scan mode and 100 points/second in SIM mode without spectra degradation, resulting in accurate
  library searches.
• COAST (Creation of Automatic SIM (Scan/SIM) Table) wizard makes it easy for users to create SIM parameters when using FASST, making high-sensitivity SIM chromatograms simple.

The GCMS-QP2010 Plus features an extended mass range (1.5 to 1090 m/z) to allow analysis of higher-mass compounds, an extended ion-source temperature range (from 100° to 300° C) to increase flexibility and reduce maintenance, and dual turbo pumps to increase sensitivity and column flow capacity.