First commercial use two-dimensional Fast Gas Chromatography Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (Fast GC-ToF-MS)

LGC selects 4D Pegasus® III model from ATAS UK to employ state-of-the-art GC mass spectrometry capability across its business.

01-Aug-2003

LGC is the first commercial operation in the UK (and one of the first in the world) to invest in a two-dimensional Fast gas chromatography Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (Fast GC-ToF-MS). In line with LGC´s commitment to invest in state-of-the-art technology, and following a rigorous evaluation exercise, LGC has purchased the new Pegasus 4D Fast GC-ToF-MS from ATAS UK, the UK distributor for Leco Corporation. The technology will be utilised across the LGC Group, bringing benefits of improved operational efficiency and greatly increased analytical capabilities for its high throughput services as well as for the characterisation of complex samples, such as nutraceuticals and natural products.

Key benefits the new technology will bring to LGC include time savings in preparing and running routine analyses; absolute confirmation for trace residue analysis; and multi-dimensional fingerprinting of complex samples.

"This is a very powerful tool for the analysis and characterisation of both unknowns and complex mixtures," said Richard Brown, Specialist Chromatographer at LGC. "The impact that this technology would have on any regulatory dispute involving "fingerprint" or authenticity analysis is potentially immense. Obviously, there is an extra cost involved in purchasing the 4D model, but this investment will allow us to perform a series of emergency analyses in a matter of hours with complete confidence in the results."

Dr Derek Craston, who headed up the commissioning team at LGC, said: "Fast GC-MS has suffered from a reputation of having a lack of robustness and reliability but the promise of what the technology could deliver has driven the evolution of the instrumentation. After an intensive test programme of the new equipment designed by LGC, we felt the time was right to invest and take advantage of the fast, reliable and detailed analysis that this technology now offers."

By combining time-of-flight mass spectrometry with ChromaTOF software, the Pegasus 4D is capable of locating both target and unknown analytes masked by interferences from the matrix. LGC opted for the 4D (or GC x GC) model which, as well as offering true Fast GC-ToF-MS with unit mass resolution, is also a research tool and allows comprehensive two-dimensional chromatography. This increases the peak capacity producing a significant enhancement in chromatographic resolution, and therefore the ability to analyse complex matrices containing thousands of analytes, all within ´one pass´, taking full advantage offered by the technology for reducing result turnaround times from hours to minutes.

The instrument was installed in May 2003 and it is now fully operational. The Pegasus 4D joins the growing list of state-of-the-art, leading-edge technologies that are available from LGC to meet the demand for analytical services.

Other news from the department research and development

Most read news

More news from our other portals

Discover the latest developments in battery technology!

See the theme worlds for related content

Topic world Gas chromatography

Gas chromatography is an essential method in analytical chemistry for the separation and analysis of volatile compounds. Due to its high resolution and sensitivity, it has become firmly established in areas such as environmental analysis, food chemistry or forensic science. GC provides precise and reliable results and enables deep insights into the chemical composition of samples.

10+ products
2 whitepaper
10+ brochures
View topic world

Topic world Gas chromatography

Gas chromatography is an essential method in analytical chemistry for the separation and analysis of volatile compounds. Due to its high resolution and sensitivity, it has become firmly established in areas such as environmental analysis, food chemistry or forensic science. GC provides precise and reliable results and enables deep insights into the chemical composition of samples.

10+ products
2 whitepaper
10+ brochures

Topic World Spectroscopy

Investigation with spectroscopy gives us unique insights into the composition and structure of materials. From UV-Vis spectroscopy to infrared and Raman spectroscopy to fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectroscopy offers us a wide range of analytical techniques to precisely characterize substances. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of spectroscopy!

70+ products
40+ whitepaper
60+ brochures
View topic world

Topic World Spectroscopy

Investigation with spectroscopy gives us unique insights into the composition and structure of materials. From UV-Vis spectroscopy to infrared and Raman spectroscopy to fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectroscopy offers us a wide range of analytical techniques to precisely characterize substances. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of spectroscopy!

70+ products
40+ whitepaper
60+ brochures

Topic World Chromatography

Chromatography enables us to separate, identify and thus understand complex substances. Whether in the food industry, pharmaceutical research or environmental analysis - chromatography opens up a treasure trove of information about the composition and quality of our samples. Discover the fascinating world of chromatography!

50+ products
20+ whitepaper
40+ brochures
View topic world

Topic World Chromatography

Chromatography enables us to separate, identify and thus understand complex substances. Whether in the food industry, pharmaceutical research or environmental analysis - chromatography opens up a treasure trove of information about the composition and quality of our samples. Discover the fascinating world of chromatography!

50+ products
20+ whitepaper
40+ brochures

Topic World Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry enables us to detect and identify molecules and reveal their structure. Whether in chemistry, biochemistry or forensics - mass spectrometry opens up unexpected insights into the composition of our world. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of mass spectrometry!

15+ products
5 whitepaper
10+ brochures
View topic world

Topic World Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry enables us to detect and identify molecules and reveal their structure. Whether in chemistry, biochemistry or forensics - mass spectrometry opens up unexpected insights into the composition of our world. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of mass spectrometry!

15+ products
5 whitepaper
10+ brochures