Quantitative Techniques in Static Headspace Extraction

The four most common approaches to quantitative HSGC calibration are classical external standard, internal standard, standard addition, and multiple headspace extraction (MHE). The choice of technique depends on the type of sample being analyzed. 

Although internal standard calibration compensates for some errors in external standard quantitation, there are several difficulties in method development. First, choosing an appropriate internal standard can often be difficult, as this compound must be available in extremely pure form and it must never appear in the samples of interest. Second, it cannot interfere in either the extraction or the chromatography of the analytes. Finally, it must be structurally similar to the analytes, so that it undergoes similar extraction and chromatography, otherwise, the compensation will be lost. 

In standard addition calibration, an additional known quantity of the analyte is added directly to the samples, following an initial analysis. By adding one or more aliquots of standard, a calibration curve can be prepared. 

Multiple headspace extraction (MHE) is used to find the total peak area of an analyte in an exhaustive headspace extraction, which allows the analyst to determine the total amount of analyte present in the sample. This technique, along with the mathematical models behind it, was originally presented by McAuliffe [17] and Suzuki et al. [18]. Kolb and Ettre have an in-depth presentation of the mathematics of MHE in their book [15], and the reader is encouraged to reference that work for further information on the mathematical model. 

The advantage to MHE is that sample matrix effects (which are mainly an issue only with solid samples) are eliminated since the entire amount of analyte is examined. This examination is done by performing consecutive analyses on the same sample vial. With the removal of each sample aliquot from the vial, the partition coefficient K will remain constant however, the total amount of analyte remaining in the sample will decline as each analysis is performed and more of the analyte is driven up into the vial headspace for removal and analysis. Chromatograms of each injection of sample show 

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