Best of the Week: Characterization for PFAS Separation, Equipment Roundup, and HILIC Evolution

This week, LCGC International published a variety of articles on the hottest topics in chromatography. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the most popular articles, according to our readers. Happy reading!

Characterizing a Mixed Mode Fluorocarbon/Weak Anion Exchange Sorbent for PFAS Separation

John Chasse

While per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used due to their high thermal and chemical stability, their pervasive presence and resistance to degrading have led researchers to seek effective methods for their detection and removal. A recent study spotlighted a new fluorinated weak anion exchange resin synthesized to increase selectivity for extraction of PFAS. The paper inspired by the research states that the polystyrene-divinylbenzene resin material developed, Sepra-WAX-KelF-PEI, has demonstrated the ability to provide balance coverage in efficiently capturing both short-chain and long-chain PFAS. LCGC International spoke to Emanuela Gionfriddo, corresponding author of the paper and a professor at the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, about the resin and the work behind it.

Equipment Roundup: New Products Announced from MOBILion Systems, Agilent

John Chasse

In the “Equipment Roundup,” the editors of LCGC International highlight the newest products from instrument manufacturers around the world. This week, MOBILion Systems announced a new approach in complex sample analysis, Parallel Accumulation with Mobility Aligned Fragmentation (PAMAF), delivering speed, sensitivity, specificity and quantitative accuracy for proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics workflows. Meanwhile, Agilent Technologies has announced the release of its next generation Agilent InfinityLab LC Series portfolio, which includes the 1290 Infinity III LC, 1260 Infinity III Prime LC, and 1260 Infinity III LC systems, all including the biocompatible versions.

A Review of the Latest Separation Science Research in PFAS Analysis

Jerome Workman Jr.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large and diverse class of anthropogenic chemicals characterized by their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, which impart exceptional chemical stability and resistance to degradation. These properties have led to their widespread use in industrial applications and consumer products, including firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, water-repellent fabrics, and food packaging. However, the same properties that make PFAS useful in various applications also contribute to their persistence in the environment, earning them the moniker “forever chemicals.” This review provides a brief yet comprehensive overview of the separation science methods utilized for PFAS analysis, including liquid chromatography (LC), gas chromatography (GC), ion chromatography (IC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). Additionally, mass spectrometry (MS) detection techniques, sample preparation methodologies such as solid-phase extraction (SPE) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the analytical challenges posed by the diversity of PFAS compounds and their occurrence in different environmental and biological contexts.

New Review Highlights HILIC Evolution for Oligonucleotide Analysis

Aaron Acevedo

Oligonucleotides are short DNA or RNA molecules, either single- or double-stranded, which include antisense oligonucleotides, RNA interference, and aptamer RNAs (2). These molecules, which are used to modulate gene and protein expression, have become a widely used class of molecules in the biomedical sciences. They act as reagents in many biological assays, disease biomarkers, and are seeing increased use as therapeutic agents. This has led to an increasing focus on continuously improving quality control and bioanalytical assays for these molecules. In a recent review article published by scientists from the University of Georgia, in Athens, Georgia, Michael G. Bartlett looked at how hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) has evolved regarding oligonucleotide analysis.

Analyzing Pesticide Presence in Apples with LC-MS/MS

Aaron Acevedo

Due to the growing adoption of healthy eating habits, the global production and consumption of fruits has been steadily increasing. A popular pome fruit worldwide because of its delicious taste and abundance of micronutrients and bioactive compounds, the nutritional composition of a medium-sized apple (Malus domestica) includes a significant amount of dietary fiber (18% of the recommended daily value), minerals (potassium, iron), and vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, riboflavin), as well as a variety of antioxidant components (2). (Pome fruits are fruits that develop from a single flower ovary and have an edible fruit core containing seeds.) In a recently published study, liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyze 100 Turkish apple samples for the presence of 225 different pesticide residues during the 2022-2023 harvest season.