What is GC/MS/MS?

GC/MS/MS, also known as GC-MS/MS or tandem mass spectrometry, is a highly sensitive and selective analytical technique that combines gas chromatography (GC) with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). In GC/MS/MS, the GC separates different compounds in a sample based on their boiling points and chemical properties. The eluting compounds are then ionized and fragmented in the first mass spectrometer (MS1). A specific fragment ion (precursor ion) is selected and further fragmented in a collision cell. The resulting fragment ions (product ions) are then analyzed in the second mass spectrometer (MS2). This technique is commonly used for the identification and quantification of trace levels of target compounds in complex matrices, such as environmental samples, food, and biological fluids. It provides enhanced selectivity and sensitivity compared to single quadrupole GC/MS, reducing background noise and enabling the detection of compounds at very low concentrations. It is widely used in various applications, including environmental monitoring, food safety, drug analysis, and metabolomics.