Reducing variation in decomposition odour profiling using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Perrault, KA; Stefanuto, PH; Stuart, BH; Rai, T; Focant, JF; Forbes, SL

Reducing variation in decomposition odour profiling using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Perrault, KA

Stefanuto, PH Stuart, BH

Rai, T

Focant, JF Forbes, SL

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of separation science, 2015, 38 (1), pp. 73 - 80
Issue Date:: 2015-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Perrault, KA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0210-2687	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Stefanuto, PH	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Stuart, BH https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9540-4435	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Rai, T https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1610-8983	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Focant, JF	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Forbes, SL https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7416-0080	en_US
dc.date.available	2014-10-16	en_US
dc.date.issued	2015-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of separation science, 2015, 38 (1), pp. 73 - 80	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/30512
dc.description.abstract	© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. Challenges in decomposition odour profiling have led to variation in the documented odour profile by different research groups worldwide. Background subtraction and use of controls are important considerations given the variation introduced by decomposition studies conducted in different geographical environments. The collection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from soil beneath decomposing remains is challenging due to the high levels of inherent soil VOCs, further confounded by the use of highly sensitive instrumentation. This study presents a method that provides suitable chromatographic resolution for profiling decomposition odour in soil by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry using appropriate controls and field blanks. Logarithmic transformation and t-testing of compounds permitted the generation of a compound list of decomposition VOCs in soil. Principal component analysis demonstrated the improved discrimination between experimental and control soil, verifying the value of the data handling method. Data handling procedures have not been well documented in this field and standardisation would thereby reduce misidentification of VOCs present in the surrounding environment as decomposition byproducts. Uniformity of data handling and instrumental procedures will reduce analytical variation, increasing confidence in the future when investigating the effect of taphonomic variables on the decomposition VOC profile.	en_US
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/FT110100753
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of separation science	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1002/jssc.201400935	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Analytical Chemistry	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Soil	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Chromatography, Gas	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Odorants	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Volatile Organic Compounds	en_US
dc.title	Reducing variation in decomposition odour profiling using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	38	en_US
utslib.for	0301 Analytical Chemistry	en_US
utslib.for	0399 Other Chemical Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	0601 Biochemistry and Cell Biology	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Graduate Research School
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CFS - Centre for Forensic Science
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	38	en_US

Abstract:

© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. Challenges in decomposition odour profiling have led to variation in the documented odour profile by different research groups worldwide. Background subtraction and use of controls are important considerations given the variation introduced by decomposition studies conducted in different geographical environments. The collection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from soil beneath decomposing remains is challenging due to the high levels of inherent soil VOCs, further confounded by the use of highly sensitive instrumentation. This study presents a method that provides suitable chromatographic resolution for profiling decomposition odour in soil by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry using appropriate controls and field blanks. Logarithmic transformation and t-testing of compounds permitted the generation of a compound list of decomposition VOCs in soil. Principal component analysis demonstrated the improved discrimination between experimental and control soil, verifying the value of the data handling method. Data handling procedures have not been well documented in this field and standardisation would thereby reduce misidentification of VOCs present in the surrounding environment as decomposition byproducts. Uniformity of data handling and instrumental procedures will reduce analytical variation, increasing confidence in the future when investigating the effect of taphonomic variables on the decomposition VOC profile.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/30512