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Thermal Desorption and Pyrolysis Combined with Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry in Food and Environmental Chemistry

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Mass Spectrometry in Food and Environmental Chemistry

Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC,volume 119))

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Abstract

Pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py–GC–MS) has confirmed to be a versatile technique that benefits food and environmental analyses. It has been used for the chemical characterization of materials and compounds that are not suitable for traditional gas chromatography (GC) because of their large size. The controlled thermal degradation carried out during pyrolysis is able to break down macromolecules into volatile fragments easier to identify because they become separable by GC and detectable by mass spectrometry (MS). A wide array of applications has been reported using Py–GC–MS, from characterization of macromolecules (polymers, paints, lacquers, adhesives, plastic, synthetic fibers, organic matter, etc.) in a variety of disciplines including forensics, history, engineering, and, of course, food and environmental sciences. In recent years, this technique has experienced an important increase due to its capability for the chemical fingerprinting of organic matter, and the identification and characterization of nano-, micro-plastics used for food package and present in environmental and food samples. In this chapter, we describe current Py–GC–MS instrumentation and working modes and summarize recent applications in food and environmental analysis with special emphasis on its strengths and limitations.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by Grant RTI2018-097158-B-C31 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe,” and project ANTROPOCEN@ (PROMETEO/2018/155) funded by Generalitat Valenciana.

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  1. Environmental and Food Safety Research Group-University of Valencia (SAMA-UV), Desertification Research Centre – CIDE (Spanish National Research Council, University of Valencia, Generalitat Valenciana), Valencia, Spain

    Julian Campo & Yolanda Picó

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  1. Julian Campo
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  2. Yolanda Picó
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Correspondence to Yolanda Picó .

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  1. Food and Environmental Safety Research Group (SAMA-UV), Desertification Research Centre - CIDE (CSIC-UV-GV), Moncada, Valencia, Spain

    Yolanda Picó

  2. Food and Environmental Safety Research Group (SAMA-UV), Desertification Research Centre - CIDE (CSIC-UV-GV), Moncada, Valencia, Spain

    Julian Campo

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Campo, J., Picó, Y. (2022). Thermal Desorption and Pyrolysis Combined with Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry in Food and Environmental Chemistry. In: Picó, Y., Campo, J. (eds) Mass Spectrometry in Food and Environmental Chemistry. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 119. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2022_887

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