Gas chromatography

Gas chromatograph

Gas chromatography

Gas chromatography (GC) is a flexible technique that allows separation and quantification of chemical substances found within a complex mixture.  For example, it can be used for quantification of bioethanol produced during fermentation of biomass-derived sugars or determination of the fatty acid profile in oilseeds.

Specifically, gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) – involves a sample, containing the chemical(s) of interest, being vaporised and injected onto a chromatographic column. The sample is transported through the column by the flow of inert, gaseous mobile phase. The column itself contains a liquid stationary phase which coats the walls of the chromatography column. The chemicals being analysed interact with the stationary phase, with each chemical travelling through the column in a different time – this is known as the retention time.  The analytical value of GC is based on the comparison of retention times of different compounds.

Technical specification: the gas chromatograph we have is a HP5890 series II capillary GC, equipped with a 100-sample autosampler and flame ionisation detector (FID).  The FID allows detection of most organic chemicals or compounds.  Electronic data capture and analysis is performed using DataApex Clarity software.

To use the gas chromatography or find out more about its capabilities, please contact us.

We have an extensive range of raw materials characterisation equipment, see below.

Raw materials characterisation

Agilent 2200 TapeStation nucleic acids system

Agilent 2200 TapeStation nucleic acids system

The 2200 TapeStation is ideal for the very rapid characterisation of DNA or RNA samples, including quality assessment, establishing DNA/RNA size ranges and quantification.

Read more

Analytical equipment

Analytical equipment

We have a variety of analytical equipment available at the centre.

Read more

Benchtop NMR analyser

Benchtop NMR analyser

The Benchtop NMR Analyser is based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and allows for fast, accurate, reproducible and solvent-free measurement of oil, fat and moisture in oil seeds, seed cake and foodstuffs.

Read more

Gas chromatography

Gas chromatography

Gas chromatography (GC) is a flexible technique that allows separation and quantification of chemical substances found within a complex mixture.

Read more

High performance liquid chromatography

High performance liquid chromatography

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is a flexible technique that allows separation and quantification of chemical substances found within a complex mixture.

Read more

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS)

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS)

The Agilent 7700x ICP-MS is capable of measuring metal and non-metal elements in concentrations of parts per trillion.

Read more

Molecular analysis facilities

Molecular analysis facilities

We have established a set of molecular analysis labs to enable a variety of genetic analysis applications to be carried out.

Read more

Microbiology facilities

Microbiology facilities

Our microbiology laboratory offers a range of equipment allowing users to safely handle, store and work with a variety of aerobic and anaerobic microbes, at ACDP hazard category II level.

Read more

Oxidative stability analyser

Oxidative stability analyser

The Metrohm Rancimat helps us determine the oxidation stability of natural fats and oils. The instrument works on the principle of passing air through a test sample at an elevated temperature, causing accelerated aging of the sample.

Read more

Water / liquid sample analysis

Water / liquid sample analysis

The Hache spectrophotometer offers a safe, easy and versatile system to measure various characteristics of liquid samples.

Read more