From CGC-MS to MS-based analytical decision makers

Analytical decision makers (ADM) are systems derived from MS-based chemical sensors to differentiate samples in "worthwhile" or "not-worthwhile" to be analysed in detail. An ADM method developed at the end of the 1999 Belgian dioxin/PCB crisis is presented. Food samples are extracted with petroleum ether and the extracts are cleaned-up by matrix solid phase dispersion. 10 muL of the extracts is injected in a programmed temperature vaporisation (PTV) injector operated in the solvent venting mode at 60 degreesC. The PTV is then heated at 12 degreesC s(-1) to 300 degreesC and the vapours are directly introduced in the MS operated in the negative chemical ionisation mode. Samples containing more than 200 mug PCBs/kg fat, which is the maximum allowable concentration (MAC), can easily be screened out for further analysis.