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Bob Pirok discusses the use of R², adjusted R², and F-tests to pick the right SEC calibration curve polynomial to avoid overfitting.

Researchers compared leaf and in vitro callus extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to assess phytochemical composition and bioactivity. Callus extracts contained a greater diversity and higher abundance of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids and key volatiles such as 1,8-cineole, α-terpineol, and sabinene. Bioassays showed superior anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in callus-derived oils, surpassing standard drugs, highlighting tissue culture as a powerful tool for enhancing natural therapeutic compounds.

LCGC International salutes Jack Henion and Bob W.J. Pirok, winners of the 19th annual LCGC Lifetime Achievement and Emerging Leader in Chromatography Awards, respectively.

Collaboration between academia and industry can reap rewards that cannot be achieved separately.

Malaria causes nearly one million deaths annually, prompting the search for new vector-control strategies. Inspired by chimpanzee behavior in Uganda’s Kibale National Park, researchers analyzed essential oils from four local tree species—three used for chimpanzee nesting—using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). A mixture of key compounds showed toxic and irritant effects on malaria-carrying mosquitoes, suggesting chimpanzee-inspired, plant-based repellents as a sustainable approach to the prevention of the disease.

A quality attribute of Suzuki-Miyura coupling reactions is to measure residual levels of phosphine ligands in the reaction product. Residual phosphine ligands can be present in non-oxidized and oxidized forms. The non-oxidized and oxidized forms have different UV chromophores and can have differing solubility. These differences can preclude accurate and precise quantification. The extent of oxidation is difficult to prevent and control for calibration standards and test materials. This paper describes a method for derivatizing residual phosphines to the oxidized form. The oxidized form is stable and provides a basis for accurate quantification of residual phosphines. This overcomes the challenges for quantifying the non-oxidized and oxidized forms.

Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME) GC–MS was used by researchers to analyze concrete samples from a Michigan City basement after a 2022 confession to a 2017 murder in which the body was never recovered. The analysis detected multiple volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with human decomposition, indicating a body had decomposed in the room for an extended period. This study marked the first successful legal use of VOC evidence from concrete in Indiana and helped support the suspect’s conviction.

Combining silicon micro-nanofabrication technology to create perfectly ordered separation beds on a silicon chip, such as micro-pillar array columns (µPACs), is a powerful innovation in liquid chromatography. This article discusses the numerous possibilities of micro-nanofabrication in the future of analytical chemistry in life science, covering sample preparation, separation science, and detection technologies.

A recent review article highlights evolving MS-based methodologies that are reshaping ligand discovery and mechanistic characterization for membrane protein drug targets. LCGC International spoke to Andrew Reiter and Dina Schuster, two of the authors of the article, about these methodologies.

A chromatographic approach based on isotope dilution high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) was used to objectively quantify serum cotinine as a biomarker of environmental tobacco smoke exposure in non-smoking women. The findings highlight the value of HPLC–MS/MS chromatography for sensitive biomarker quantification in epidemiological studies and support the role of second-hand smoke as a modifiable risk factor for pelvic inflammatory disease.

A spatially resolved proteomics workflow was established by combining nanosecond mid-infrared laser layer-by-layer ablation of human corneal tissue with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The approach provided insights into metabolic activity, immune function, and wound-healing processes within individual corneal layers, demonstrating the power of LC–MS/MS-based chromatography for elucidating corneal biology, disease mechanisms, and potential pharmacological targets.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has entered a strategic collaboration with NVIDIA to integrate advanced AI technologies into scientific instruments and laboratory workflows.

A validated chromatographic method was developed for monitoring organochlorine pesticide residues in sesame seeds using QuEChERS sample preparation coupled with gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). The results demonstrate that QuEChERS combined with GC–MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode provides a robust, efficient, and reliable chromatographic solution for routine food safety monitoring and regulatory compliance in sesame seed analysis.