F U N D A M E N TA L S O F G A S

C H R O M AT O G R A P H Y
AND CARRIER GAS
LUDY NORE IBY ROJAS COTACIO
PAUL A ANDRE A GUT IE RRE Z G AL ARZ A
B R AYA N S T I V E N M O S Q U E R A Y U L E
OVERVIEW

A GC system comprises two phases: an inert gas called a mobile phase and an immiscible
stationary phase (solid or liquid) placed in a column. Analytes are distributed between the
mobile and the stationary phases during the process depending on their relative affinity for both.
Therefore, compounds with higher
affinity for the stationary phase are retained longer and eluted later than others.
Although complex mixtures of volatile compounds can be directly analyzed by GC,
derivatization of nonvolatile polar molecules or low thermal stability. The coupling of GC to
mass spectrometry (GC-MS) affords additional structural information of usefulness to assess
food authenticity.
PLATE HEIGHT
There are two general types of columns: open tubular (also called capillary) and packed

• Equation Van Deemter

• Equation Van Deemter-Golay

CARRIER GAS FLOW CONTROL
The use of a 'blank' or the
constant flow of the
The effectiveness of a Stability and
carrier gas, control of the
GC repeatability.
flow rate through the
column is carried out.

• The sample injection method. The flowmeter is the equipment

• The computer-controlled oven specialized in controlling the
temperature profile flow in the chromatographic
column

In specialized equipment the

flowmeter is electronic which
guarantees greater precision
Valves that supply a constant flow in the constant flow.
rate (packed columns) or that
maintain a constant pressure at the
head of the column (capillary
systems).
RETENTION INDEX

The method takes advantage of the For programmed temperature chromatography,

linear relationship between the values the Kovats index is given by the equation:
​of the logarithm of the retention time,
log (tlr) , and the number of carbon
atoms in a molecule. For isothermal
chromatography, the Kovats index is
given by the equation
For example
Heptane, decane, and an unknown had adjusted rention times of 12,6 min (heptane), 22,9
min (decane), and 20,0 min (unknown). The retention indexes for heptane and decane are
700 and 1000, respectively. Find the retention index for the unknown
BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Blumberg, L. M. (2021). Theory of gas chromatography. Gas Chromatography, 19–97.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-820675-1.00026-5
2. Ruiz-Matute, A. I., Rodríguez-Sánchez, S., Sanz, M. L., & Soria, A. C. (2018).
Chromatographic Technique: Gas Chromatography (GC). In Modern Techniques for Food
Authentication (pp. 415–458). Academic Press.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814264-6.00012-8
3. Skoog, Douglas A. y Leary, James J. (1994). Análisis Instrumental. Armenia:
McGraw-Hill. ISBN 84-481-0191-X.
4. McNair, Harold M. & Miller, James M. (1998). Basic Gas Chromatography. Canada:
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-17260-X (alk. paper); ISBN 0-471-17261-8 (pbk.: alk.
paper).