Agilent Technologies has introduced the first commercial gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) system to feature a solid inert ion source for food production applications.
Designed to integrate with Agilent's industry-leading gas chromatographs, the Agilent 5973 inert mass selective detector (MSD) is up to three times more sensitive than typical GC/MS systems for the analysis of certain active compounds.
The 5973 inert MSD minimizes the degradation of active compounds, which in turn is said to provide better spectral quality and greater reliability. It enables accurate, reliable analyses of previously problematic compounds such as pesticides and drugs in complex matrices. It is suited for any GC/MS analysis, but Agilent say that its sensitivity and reliability make it ideal for environmental testing and forensic and homeland security applications as well as the food safety applications.
Typical GC/MS systems use ion sources made of stainless steel, which can react with the active compounds in a sample and distort the subsequent mass spectral data. Other systems feature a source with an inert coating, which can wear away over time from routine cleaning and operation. Agilent claims that its 5973 inert MSD is the first GC/MS system to have a solid inert ion source, giving it sensitivity and reliability over a longer period of time.
The new ion source provides superior sensitivity, enhancing analyte response for certain compounds, with the greatest percentage gain at low concentrations where detection is an issue. The resulting improvements in spectra quality increase confidence in library search matches, the company claims.
Additionally maintenance needs are said to be greatly reduced as even the most active compounds have difficulty adhering to the smooth, inert surface of the source. In addition, the new inert source can be operated at higher temperatures - a benefit for analyses of compounds with high boiling points.
The system includes an upgraded version of the Agilent MSD ChemStation software that allows users to control two Agilent 5973 series MSDs from a single workstation. Other software improvements include simpler navigation and sample list setup, Microsoft Excel-compatible spreadsheets that are easier to use, and compatibility with Microsoft Windows 2000 and XP.
The Agilent 5973 inert MSD was made available from the beginning of September. Current system customers can upgrade their older systems by purchasing the 5973 inert source upgrade kit.
More information about the Agilent 5973 is available at the company website.
Agilent Technologies is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 30,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $6 billion (€5.5bn)in fiscal year 2002.