About Shimadzu

Shimadzu Corporation launched a new multi-dimensional GC/GCMS product on December 26th, 2007 that simplifies the normally difficult separation and quantification of compounds in complex, multi-component samples. This product is designed for a variety of applications, such as research and quality control in the fields of environmental analysis, petrochemicals, cosmetics, and fine chemicals.
(Product name: MDGC/GCMS-2010 Multi-Dimensional Gas Chromatograph/Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer System)

The addition of the top-of-the-range MDGC/GCMS-2010 to Shimadzu's GC/GCMS lineup is intended to improve the company's competitiveness in the GC/GCMS market and increase sales.

Background to the Product Development

When analyzing complex samples containing multiple components or analyzing foreign matter with properties that are similar to the major components, it is often difficult to obtain adequate separation of the target components in the single column of a conventional GC system. Additionally, the sample pretreatment and investigation of analytical conditions takes a long time.

For example, the proportions of several dozen specific components (fatty acid methyl esters) in biodiesel that are involved with combustion differ according to the type of grain used as the raw material. Detailed investigations into the components are required to ensure stable combustion. However, biodiesel fuels contain extremely large numbers of components (sometimes more than 1,000) and the separation and quantification of these individual components are not straightforward. Also, in the field of fine chemical products, enhancing the image quality and durability of LCD displays, for example, requires the identification and elimination of trace levels of foreign matter (below several tens of ppm*) that have properties that are similar to the major components of the raw materials.

Therefore, measures were required to enhance GC separation performance and improve work efficiency.

Impact of the New Product

To resolve these problems, Shimadzu developed the MDGC/GCMS-2010 that combines two columns with different properties to achieve high-resolution analysis in a short time. This new product passes any compounds that could not be separated in the first column into a second column for separation.

Newly designed digital flow-control technology and a novel flow-switching mechanism replace the conventional manual valve and serve to introduce the sample from the first column into the second column. This eliminates deterioration of the peak shape during the sample introduction from the first to the second column and achieves accurate retention times for each compound as well as high peak reproducibility.

The new product features special software that enables setting of the flow rate and temperature conditions for the two columns and setting of the flow-switching program on a single graphical screen. For example, the flow-switching program can be generated using simple mouse operations while observing the chromatogram of the separation results in the first column, enabling the most appropriate analytical conditions to be rapidly determined.

The current market for MDGC is approximately 500 million yen per annum in the world. However, due to the increasing demand for high-separation analysis, this is expected to grow to 1.5 billion yen in 2008 and 3 billion yen in five years' time.

The addition of the top-of-the-range MDGC/GCMS-2010 to Shimadzu's GC/GCMS lineup is expected to generate sales exceeding 800 million yen in fiscal 2008, including peripherals.

System Configuration

The new product can use both mass spectrometer and gas chromatograph detectors.
The system is available in the following two configurations:
* 2 x gas chromatographs (GC)
* Gas chromatograph (GC) + Gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS)

The features of the new product are outlined below.

Accurate Retention Times and High Peak Reproducibility Support Multi-Component Analysis

Accurate digital flow-control technology and a novel flow-switching mechanism virtually eliminate fluctuations in the retention times, enabling highly reproducible analysis. No fluctuation in retention times occurs, even during multiple flow-path switching operations for multi-component analysis

Software Allows Easy Setup of Complex Analytical Conditions

The special MDGCsolution software enables setting of the flow rate and temperature conditions for the two columns and setting of the flow-switching program on a single graphical screen. In addition, the flow-switching program can be generated using simple mouse operations while observing the chromatogram of the separation results in the first column, to significantly reduce the time required to determine the analytical conditions. The time required to develop the analytical method can be reduced to less than 1/5 the time required by existing instruments.

Wide Range of Optional Systems

The MDGC/GCMS-2010 can use both a mass spectrometer and FID or FPD gas chromatograph (GC) detectors. In addition, it can be used in combination with pretreatment units, such as an automatic liquid sample injector, headspace sampler, and thermal desorption system.

* Gas chromatograph: Separates a mixed sample with a complex composition to quantify the components contained.
* Column: A device containing the medium that separates the components of a mixture in a gas chromatograph.
* ppm: Parts per million. Units used to express trace concentrations and proportions. For example, one cubic meter of water in which one cubic centimeter of a compound is dissolved contains 1 ppm of the compound.

MDGC/GCMS-2010 Multi-Dimensional Gas Chromatograph/Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer System