Profiling of Volatile Compounds in Nuts by Dynamic Headspace Sampling and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

The GERSTEL Dynamic Headspace (DHS) module uses a two needle design to flush the headspace of a standard headspace vial onto replaceable sorbent traps that can be thermostatted. After sample collection, the adsorbent traps can be dry purged or taken directly to the thermal desorber for analysis. The design of the DHS enables easy optimization of analyte trapping conditions, including choice of adsorbent, and when configured with the Multipurpose Sampler (MPS), can perform automated internal standard addition and calibration.

In this study, DHS is used to profile the VOCs from a variety of edible nuts. The volatile profile of toasted and untoasted nuts is compared. The amount of hexanal in the nut samples was quantified and compared as a measure of freshness.