Fast and Sensitive Headspace Analysis

The fast monitoring in the food, beverage, packaging and pharmaceutical industries plays an important role especially with respect to product authentication and quality control. The FlavourSpec® made by G.A.S. enables a very sensitive (low ppbv-range) and reliable detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of liquid and solid samples by directly sampling from headspace. Thus, raw materials/ingredients and finished products can easily be authenticated or classified by their typical smell or flavour. Samples are evaluated by qualitatively and quantitatively measuring either individual substances or alternatively based on their fingerprint reflected in the GC/IMS-chromatogram.

Because of its high sensitivity (equipped with an ion mobility spectrometer), no time consuming sample preparation is required and

results are typically achieved within 3-10 minutes. To make the operation and processing simple and easy and respect the daily routines the system is equipped with an automatic headspace sample injector.

Examples for applications include: quality control of commodities; impartial prove of product flavours; support of sensory panels; early Detection of off-smells (diacetyl, TMA); blending (green tea, coffee, cigarettes, wine); optimisation of manufacturing processes; volatiles from plastics/papers (packaging materials); and residual solvents in polymers and leather.