GC-MS is a best technique to detect the volatile compounds. But still we are able to detect the non-volatile compounds after derivatization.
Dear Dr. Tresina Soris,
we can increase the volatility of a non-volatile compounds present in plant samples by their derivatisation. i.e. most of the poly phenolics compounds are non-volatile in nature. these compounds can be converted into volatile ones by their silylation (by making silyle derivatives)
Advantages of Derivatization
1.Increases volatility
2. Eliminates the presence of polar OH, NH and SH groups
3. Increases stability and detectability
4.Reduces the adsorption of polar samples on active surfaces of column walls.
Usually analytes are converted by derivatization either into volatile compounds able to be analyzed by GC with sensitive detectors. The derivatization technique generally consists of substitution of the active H2 atom in –NH, COOH,
OH or –SH using alkylation, acylation or silylation reactions.
Dear Ajay,
Thanks a lot for your valuable answer. The PDF which you have attached is highly informative.
With Regards,
Tresina
You could also try using a more volatile extraction solvent such as dichloromethane. This is probably more suited to semi-volatile compounds, but might be a cheaper/less time consuming alternative to derivitisation. Alternatively you could simply run your non-volatile-compound containing samples through a HPLC or LC-MS and see what comes out.
THe GC-MS is very sensitive. This means that derivatives can be made in very small amounts in a tiny test tube or plastic vial, and extracted with a tiny amount of solvent. Now that I think about it, my bottles of derivatizing agent were rarely or never used up!
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