Solid-phase aroma concentrate extraction (SPACE™):: a new headspace technique for more sensitive analysis of volatiles

The SPACE(TM) (solid-phase aroma concentrate extraction) method is a modified version of the SPME (solid-phase micro extraction) technique for headspace analysis, with increased area of the adsorbent to enable more sensitive analysis of volatiles. The SPACE(TM) rod used in the technique is fabricated from stainless steel coated with an adsorbent mixture, consisting mainly of a graphite carbon. Initially, the SPACE(TM) rod is fixed in the head of a closed flask, where it adsorbs the aroma. Next, the rod is thermally desorbed on-line with a high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (HRGC-MS). In the present experiments, SPACE(TM) sampling reproducibility was deter-mined by analysing a standard mixture and roasted coffee beans. The SPACE(TM) rod collected the analytes with good reproducibility, with the exception of high polar compounds. Similar analyses of coffee powder were performed by SPME and other methods for comparison with the SPACE(TM) method. The SPACE(TM) method proved to have superior capabilities with high concentrations, and it produced a well-balanced chromatogram. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.