Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

Gas chromatography (GC) is widely used for quantifying volatile and semi-volatile biological metabolites, and are usually equiped with a flame ionization detector (FID) and mass spectrometer (MS), which allows for accurate analysis of metabolites with high resolution. Moreover, when coupled with headspace sampling technique, it further enhances the accuracy of such platforms. Headspace GC-FID/MS analysis is well-suited for quantifying highly volatile and gaseous molecules, including short chain fatty acids, propanal, and other sulfur-containing compounds, which otherwise are challenging to measure in other chromatographic platforms. Here, we request a multicomponent GC system coupled with headspace analysis. Our team, comprising of top-notch scientists from early, mid, and well-established careers, requires the system for their NSERC-funded research to continue achieving world-class research goals. There is no functional GC system in the Department of Biochemistry and very limited headspace-capable GC system at Memorial University of Newfoundland. The applicants currently send their samples to other facilities, which causes significant delays in their research. The requested equipment will not only accelerates the team's research program but also provide a new avenue for HQP training and increase Canada's competitiveness in the field of food and nutritional research.