Multidimensional analytical technology

There are many examples of second-order analyzers that are used in analytical chemistry including many hyphenated spectroscopic tools such as FTIR-TGA, IR-microscopy, as well as GC-MS, or even two-dimensional spectroscopic techniques. Another hyphenated technique that is being developed for the study of solid-state transitions in crystalline materials is dynamic vapor sorption coupled with NIR spectroscopy (DVS-NIR).26 DVS is a water sorption balance by which the weight of a sample is carefully monitored during exposure to defined temperature and humidity. It can be used to study the stability of materials, and in this case has been used to induce solid-state transitions in anhydrous theophylline. By interfacing an NIR spectrometer with a fiber-optic probe to the DVS, the transitions of the theophylline can be monitored spectroscopically. The DVS-NIR has proven to be a useful tool in the study of the solid-state transitions of theophylline. It has been used to identify a transition that exists in the conversion of the anhydrous form to the hydrate during the course of water sorption. 

A bioprocess system has been monitored using a multi-analyzer system with the multivariate data used to model the process.27 The fed-batch E. coli bioprocess was monitored using an electronic nose, NIR, HPLC and quadrupole mass spectrometer in addition to the standard univariate probes such as a pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen electrode. The output of the various analyzers was used to develop a multivariate statistical process control (SPC) model for use on-line. The robustness and suitability of multivariate SPC were demonstrated with a tryptophan fermentation. 

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Methods developed for on-line technological control have to be tested for the variation of the product composition due to process variations. However, if rugged analytical procedures are developed these multidimensional methods may only require minimal attention during on-line operation. Multidimensional chromatography for the analysis of complex polymer and industrial samples offers chromatogra-phers high productivity and efficiency and is an excellent alternative to off-line methods. 

The results of the second interlaboratory study of PCN analytical methods using environmental matrices, undertaken by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), should provide an indication of the comparability of published environmental PCN data and show where additional method enhancements are needed. Further method development efforts in the analysis of PCNs, and other complex mixtures are likely to focus on improving efficiencies by optimizing run times and separation. Examples may include time-of-flight mass spectrometry and multidimensional GC. New methods, such as isotope ratio mass spectrometry, may contribute to further source apportionment of complex mixtures [88]. 

Wolters, D. A., Washburn, M. R, and Yates, J. R., An automated multidimensional protein identification technology for shotgun proteomics. Analytical Chemistry, 73, 5683-5690, 2001. 

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