Gas chromatography (GC)

Definition

Gas chromatography (GC) is a technique used to separate, identify, and quantify compounds in a mixture based on their volatility and interaction with the stationary phase. It is widely used in microbial biochemistry for analyzing metabolic products and identifying microorganisms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Gas chromatography can be used to analyze volatile organic compounds produced by microorganisms.
2. The stationary phase in GC typically consists of a liquid or polymer on an inert solid support.
3. Retention time in GC helps determine the identity of compounds by comparing them to known standards.
4. GC requires samples to be vaporized before analysis; hence, it is best suited for volatile substances.
5. A flame ionization detector (FID) or mass spectrometer (MS) is commonly used as a detector in GC.

Review Questions

• What type of compounds is gas chromatography best suited for analyzing?
• Why is retention time important in gas chromatography?
• Name two types of detectors commonly used in gas chromatography.

Related terms

Flame Ionization Detector (FID): A type of detector that measures ions formed during combustion of organic compounds.

Retention Time: The time taken for a compound to travel through the chromatographic column to the detector.

Mass Spectrometry (MS): An analytical technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions to identify and quantify molecules.