Advanced Flow Technology Series Multi-Dimensional GC/GCMS System

The original MDGC we were using was commonly used in Europe at that time for fragrance analysis. However, it was a very complicated instrument, and unless someone was very familiar with its operation, it was very difficult to use effectively. Changing the column and other basic instrument maintenance required a lot of time and technical expertise. After years of use, it finally deteriorated, so it was necessary to replace it with another MDGC. By that time I wanted an instrument that would be easier to use from the standpoints of both hardware and software, so I looked for a manufacturer who would be willing to accept special customization requests.

Since the MDGC software is based on the improved Solution series of Shimadzu's workstation, it is extremely easy to use. There was absolutely no sense of discomfort with the new MDGC software because of our familiarity with the Solution series software gained through our long experience with the single-column GC and GC/MS software.

In our configuration, the first step consists of an FID detector with switching between an AOC-20i (autoinjector) and a TD (thermal desorption system). The second step is used with an MS attached. The system is often used for qualitative and chiral analysis. Since a chiral compound in a natural substance may not necessarily be a racemic compound, the MDGC is used to determine the ratio of the d form to the l form, for example, a ratio of 70:30 or 80:20, etc. There are many compounds that are known to have different aromas, depending on the content ratios of the d form and l form. For example, a variation of a compound consisting of 100% of the d form and another with 100% of the l form may have completely different aromas. Our company uses asymmetric synthesis and enzyme reactions to obtain optically active aroma blends referred to as Chiraroma®.

Interview with YOSHIHIRO YAGUCHI

There is really not much to worry about when using a single-column GC and GCMS to analyze targets of high purity, but when analyzing fragrance compositions, as many as one or two hundred peaks may be detected. At that point, extracting only the targeted substance from those peaks and obtaining the necessary information requires painstaking fractionation and purification when using a single-column GC and GCMS. When looking at both stereoisomers (d form, l form) of target compounds in a natural substance, it is not practical to eliminate all the surrounding material before conducting the analysis. But it is extremely easy to obtain the targeted information from within a complicated mixture using the MDGC.

Although not directly related to the MDGC system, we can obtain very clean chromatograms, method creation is simple, and analysis of the acquired data is very well addressed with GCMSsolution, which is very easy to use. I would have to say that at this point, there are no deficiencies from the standpoint of functionality. Compared to the GCMS control software of other manufacturers, it is an easy-to-use system. In particular, the postrun analysis function is excellent. However, if there were something to say about GCsolution and GCMSsolution, I think there should be more uniformity between the two interfaces. There are quite a few differences in menu arrangement and rules in these two interfaces. A function that is present in one might not be present in the other, or they might be different, or perhaps, accessed from a different menu. Because of such inconsistencies, an analyst who frequently uses both software packages may be confused.

There is so much that it is difficult. I think that the relationship between hardware and software is still very important. Even if the hardware is good, there is not much chance that users will be able to use it if only hardware specialists can figure out how to use it. So, it is very important that the interface be very approachable, that it is easy to understand, and that operation menus and commands be where one would expect them to be. Even if you search for what you want to do, not being able to find it is extremely stressful for a user. If the software is not user-friendly, regardless of the number of functions and high overall performance, there is no way to take advantage of these merits. Of course, it is good to carefully read the manual, but unless the operation menus and commands can be quickly and easily located, the software will be difficult to use. Yes, I believe that easy-to-use software is very important.

Development of this instrument originated with an inquiry from Takasago International in 2003, asking if Shimadzu would be interested in developing an instrument capable of better heart-cut analysis. Since fragrance companies have some of the most demanding applications, it was necessary to pay very close attention to design of the hardware; design of the complex flow line was very tough. In addition, it was essential that easy-to-use software be developed. In particular, the requirement that MDGCsolution control two Solution software modules simultaneously made development extremely difficult, with the items to be checked increasing exponentially. In the end, the completed system featured both hardware and software that are superior to those of other companies, and the hardship encountered during development only served to deepen our sense of reward. In the future we will make further efforts to develop products that are easy to use for customers.