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Matrix Effects in Gas NAUKA
Chromatography

COUPLED TO MASS SPECTROMETRY

Matrix effects, which affect the results of quantitative analyses, are usually associated with liquid chromatogra-
phy coupled to mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The presence of non-target compounds in the ion source of mass
spectrometer enhances or suppresses the ionisation of target compound, and thus the sample matrix impairs the
analytical results. Similar effects are rarely described for gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/
MS), and their mechanism is also quite different. The results of GC/MS analyses may be affected by the composi-
tion of sample matrix, but matrix effects are not associated with the ionisation of the sample, but rather with the
general condition of the gas chromatograph itself. The majority of matrix effects in gas chromatography results
from the adsorption of target and non-target compounds on the surfaces in injector port and/or on the surface of
the capillary column. In this short review, we describe some of the most important matrix effects observed during
GC/MS analyses, as well as some methods of minimizing their impact on the quantitative results, with special
attention paid to basic maintenance of gas chromatograph.

ANALITYKA – NUMER 4, ROK (XVI) 2015 5