GERSTEL V-ITEX
Vacuum In Tube Extraction
Automated vacuum extraction for GC-MS analysis made easy
GERSTEL V-ITEX is an innovative, fully automated, vacuum-based extraction method developed by Agroscope (Switzerland) for the GC-MS determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Using a controlled vacuum, V-ITEX enables gentle extraction and enrichment even from temperature-sensitive and complex matrices – without heating, with virtually no solvent consumption, and with maximum reproducibility.
Enriched analytes are transferred directly and completely to the GC-MS system for the best possible detection limits and accuracy of results.
What types of analysis is V-ITEX suitable for?
- Temperature-sensitive foods (e.g., fresh produce, dairy products, soy and oat milk)
- Flavor analysis
- Nutritional volatolomics and VOC analyses in biological fluids
- Research in the field of volatolomics (VOCs in food and body fluids)
How V-ITEX works
Many established methods such as SAFE or Likens-Nickerson are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and consume large amounts of solvents. In addition, the headspace techniques used subsequently cannot analyze non-volatile components.
V-ITEX solves these problems through:
- Gentle microextraction without heating
- Sustainability thanks to minimal solvent consumption
- Complete automation for maximum productivity
Main functions
- Gentle VOC extraction
from thermally sensitive samples without heating - Automatic enrichment and water management
with the GERSTEL MultiPurposeSampler (MPS) in the V-ITEX module - Trap desorption
occurs directly via the GC carrier gas flow - Dynamic focusing
of VOCs in the GERSTEL CIS 4 – without cryogenic cooling
Advantages
- As simple as a headspace injection, but significantly more powerful
- Includes GC inlet with GERSTEL ePneumatics
- Reproducible results – independent of GC or GC-MS
- Compatible with almost all GC or GC-MS
Highlights
- Vacuum-controlled pump for maximum repeatability
- Efficient drying of aqueous samples
- Parallel incubation of multiple samples with the GERSTEL AGIstir
- Dynamic Focusing in the CIS 4 without cryogenic cooling
- Universal integration into common GC and GC-MS, including Agilent MassHunter Acquisition Integration
Patents and certificates
- Patent title: “Novel Dynamic Headspace Vacuum Transfer ‘in Trap’ Extraction Method and Apparatus for its Performance”
- Swiss patent PCT/CH2019/000002
- International patents: EP3921631 and US20220018740
All information for download
Learn more about the application of vacuum extraction in the scientific open-access publications of our partner Agroscope
Development and performance evaluation of a novel dynamic headspace vacuum transfer “In Trap” extraction method for volatile compounds and comparison with headspace solid-phase microextraction and headspace in-tube extraction
Fuchsmann, P., et al. Journal of Chromatography A, 2019, 1601, 60-70. DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2019.05.016
Dynamic Headspace Vacuum In-Tube Extraction and GC‑MS for analyzing volatile compounds in various matrices.
Tintrop L.; Fuchsmann, P. 3rd European Sample Preparation Conference, 2024, European Chemical Society, Chania (GR).
Nutrivolatilomics of Urinary and Plasma Samples to Identify Candidate Biomarkers after Cheese, Milk, and Soy-Based Drink Intake in Healthy Humans
Fuchsmann, P., et al. Journal of Proteome Research, 2020, 19 (10), 4019-4033. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00324
Age-Dependent Serum Volatilomics of Milk and Yogurt Intake: A Randomized Crossover Study in Healthy Young and Older Men
Yi Meng, H., et al. Journal of Proteome Research, 2023, 22 (4), 1201-1212. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00674
Serum and Urine Metabolites in Healthy Men after Consumption of Acidified Milk and Yogurt
Bütikofer, U., et al. Nutrients, 2022, 14(22), 4794. DOI: 10.3390/nu14224794
Vacuum and Headspace - An Efficient and Fast Combination for the Extraction of Volatile Compounds
Fuchsmann, P. Chimia, 2021, 75 (10), 888. DOI: 10.2533/chimia.2021.888