Aim
To illustrate how gas chromatography (GC) may be used for the identification and quantification of individual constituents of a complex natural product.
Introduction
Gas chromatography (GC) separates mixtures into their individual components and is particularly useful for volatile and semi-volatile compounds. GC is used in the analysis of a wide variety of samples, including paints, polymer additives, solvents, hydrocarbons, pesticides, and drugs. Samples are introduced to the stationary phase of the capillary column as vapours or dissolved in solution. As the column is heated, an i…