Methods and instruments

Methods and instruments

The research group has access to a wide array of techniques for sample preparation and clean-up. Particularly strategies on liquid-liquid extraction and fractionation using solid phase extraction are employed.

For the analysis of target molecules a range of chromatographic separation and detection techniques are available within the group and through collaborations. Examples can be seen below:

 

Gas chromatography coupled to flame ionisation detection (GC-FID)
GC-FID instrument
HP 5890 series II GC-FID

 

HP 5890 series II plus gas chromatograph with flame ionisation detector

  • Split/Splitless injector and Cold Injection System (Gerstel)
  • Fully programmable CTC CombiPAL autosampler system with tray for 96 samples

Applications: Workhorse in the laboratory, used for screening of samples and quantification of low molecular weight lipids

 

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
GC-MS Instrument
Trace GC Ultra with DSQ II mass spectrometer

 

Trace GC Ultra

  • Split/Splitless
  • injector AS 3000 autosampler for 120 samples

DSQ II mass spectrometer

  • single quadrupole instrument
  • mass range of m/z 50-1050
  • quadrupole scan rate of > 10 000 amu/s
  • separate and simultaneous acquisition of full scan and SIM data
  • Option for chemical ionisation

Applications: Analysis of small molecules and simple lipids such as fatty acids or sterols

 

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
8890 GC/ 5977B MS
Agilent GC 8890 with 5977B mass spectrometer

 

Agilent 8890 GC

  • Split/splitless
  • Cool-on-column injector
  • Injector 7693a autosampler
  • High temperature capability: up to 450 °C

Agilent 5977B MS

  • Single quadrupole instrument
  • Mass range of m/z 1.6 to 1050
  • Quadrupole scan speed of ≤ 12,500 amu/s
  • Instrument detection limit of 24 fg

Applications: Analysis of labile and high boiling compounds that are easily degraded or discriminated during injection and analyses that require high sensitivity

 

We are very grateful to Universitätsbund Erlangen-Nürnberg e. V for providing financial support for the purchase of the instrument.