High-throughput analysis of bergamot essential oil by fast solid-phase microextraction–capillary gas chromatography–flame ionization detection

The advantages of using a narrow-bore column in headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatographic (HS-SPME–GC) analysis are investigated. An automated rapid HS-SPME–GC method for the determination of volatile compounds in a complex sample (bergamot essential oil) was developed. A low-capacity (7 μm) SPME fibre was employed, enabling a short equilibration time (15 min). The absorbed volatile compounds were then separated in 12.5 min on a 10 m × 0.1 mm I.D. capillary. The fast GC method was characterized by relatively moderate GC parameters (head pressure: 173 kPa; temperature program rate: 12 °C/min). The employment of the low-capacity fibre also suited the reduced sample capacity of the capillary employed, hence column overloading was avoided. Analytical repeatibility was determined in terms of retention times (maximum RSD: 0.32%) and peak areas (maximum RSD: 9.80%). The results obtained were compared to those derived from a conventional HS-SPME–GC (a 30 μm SPME fibre and 0.25 mm I.D. capillary were used) application on the same sample. In this respect, a great reduction of analytical time was obtained both with regard to the conventional SPME equilibration and GC run times, which both required 50 min. Peak resolution was altogether comparable in both applications. Although a slight loss in terms of sensitivity was observed in the rapid approach (generally within the 25–50% range), this did not impair the detection of all peaks of interest. Finally, the selectivities of the 30 and 7 μm fibres were evaluated and, as expected, these were in good agreement.