System and method for rapid analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

A chromatography method for detecting one or more polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a sample comprising the steps of:

• providing a sample comprising one or more PAHs for analysis;
• wherein the sample is prepared with, extracted or dissolved in a diluent comprising at least 60% organic solvent, with the proviso that the sample is analyzed without a solvent exchange step;
• applying the sample to a chromatography column with a solid stationary phase comprising inorganic or hybrid particles having a mean particle size of about 0.5 to about 3.5 microns, wherein said particles have a polar surface functionality, and wherein the particles retain said one or more PAHs;
• eluting the one or more PAHs from the chromatography column by a mobile phase comprising a liquid CO2 to form one or more eluted PAHs, wherein the mobile phase has a pre-column dwell volume of about 75 μL to about 500 μL;
• and
• detecting said one or more eluted PAHs by a mass spectrometer.

A method for detecting one or more PAHs comprising:

• (1) providing a sample comprising one or more PAHs for analysis;
• wherein the sample is prepared with, extracted or dissolved in a diluent comprising at least 60% organic solvent, with the proviso that the sample is not subject to a solvent exchange step;
• (2) applying the sample to a chromatography system comprising:
• (a) a column with a solid stationary phase comprising an inorganic or hybrid particle having a mean particle size of about 0.5 to about 3.5 microns, wherein said particle has a non-polar or polar/non-polar surface functionality, wherein said column has a length of about 50 to 150 mm and an internal diameter about 2 to 4 mm, and wherein the solid stationary phase retains said one or more PAHs;
• (b) a pre-column mobile phase dwell volume of about 75 μL to about 500 μL;
• wherein said pre-column dwell volume comprises a space within a fluidic connection between a junction at which the CO2 and the modifier are mixed to the head of the column;
• and
• (c) a post-column mobile phase dwell volume of about 10 μL to about 450 μL;
• wherein said post-column dwell volume comprises a space within a fluidic connection between the end of the column and a detector;
• (3) eluting the one or more PAHs from the chromatography column by a mobile phase comprising a mixture of CO2 and a modifier to form one or more eluted PAHs, wherein the mobile phase has a flow rate of about 1 to 4 mL/min;
• and
• (4) detecting said one or more eluted PAHs.

A kit for performing analysis or detecting one or more PAHs in a sample comprising:

• a sample preparation device for preparing the sample comprising one or more PAHs for analysis;
• wherein the sample is prepared with, extracted or dissolved in a diluent comprising at least about 60% organic solvent, with the proviso that the sample is analyzed without a solvent exchange step;
• a chromatography column with a solid stationary phase comprising inorganic or hybrid particles having a mean particle size of 0.5 to 3.5 microns;
• wherein said particles have a non-polar or polar/non-polar surface functionality and retain said one or more PAHs;
• and
• one or more standards for calibrating, and facilitating the analysis and detection of the one or more PAHs.