Lecture
Advanced Aroma Characterization of Whiskies Using GC×GC-ToFMS with Hydrogen as Carrier Gas
- at -
- ICM Saal 4b
- Type: Lecture
Lecture description
This study presents a cutting-edge approach to the comprehensive characterization of complex aroma profiles in 11 diverse whiskies, ranging from Scotch and Irish malts to Japanese shochu, French cognac casks, and American rye, using comprehensive twodimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GCToFMS). The method leverages the superior separation power of GC×GC to resolve co-eluting compounds, enabling precise identification of key aroma-active molecules.
A critical innovation lies in the use of hydrogen as the carrier gas, which significantly enhances peak resolution, reduces analysis time, and improves sensitivity, particularly beneficial for trace-level aroma compounds (e.g., detection thresholds as low as 100 ppb). The SPME-GC×GC-ToFMS workflow includes a 10-minute incubation at 50 °C followed by 20-minute extraction using a CAR/DVB/PDMS fiber, with 1,4- dibromobenzene as an internal standard for quantification.
Data processing was performed using Sync (Leco) and MetaboAnalyst, enabling robust normalization and visualization via heatmaps, revealing distinct aroma fingerprints across whisky origins and maturation styles.
This work underscores the power of GC×GC with hydrogen for high-resolution, highsensitivity aroma analysis, making it an ideal tool for quality control, authenticity verification, and sensory profiling in the spirits industry.
A critical innovation lies in the use of hydrogen as the carrier gas, which significantly enhances peak resolution, reduces analysis time, and improves sensitivity, particularly beneficial for trace-level aroma compounds (e.g., detection thresholds as low as 100 ppb). The SPME-GC×GC-ToFMS workflow includes a 10-minute incubation at 50 °C followed by 20-minute extraction using a CAR/DVB/PDMS fiber, with 1,4- dibromobenzene as an internal standard for quantification.
Data processing was performed using Sync (Leco) and MetaboAnalyst, enabling robust normalization and visualization via heatmaps, revealing distinct aroma fingerprints across whisky origins and maturation styles.
This work underscores the power of GC×GC with hydrogen for high-resolution, highsensitivity aroma analysis, making it an ideal tool for quality control, authenticity verification, and sensory profiling in the spirits industry.
