Volatile Analysis of Wuliangye Baijiu by LiChrolut EN SPE Fractionation Coupled with Comprehensive GC×GC-TOFMS

Molecules. 2022 Feb 15;27(4):1318. doi: 10.3390/molecules27041318.

Abstract

Wuliangye baijiu is one of the most famous Chinese liquors with a protected geographical indication. This study used LiChrolut® EN-based solid-phase extraction (SPE) and fractionation combined with comprehensive two-dimensional chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) to unveil its volatile composition. The volatiles were isolated with LiChrolut® EN-based SPE and traditional liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). The neutral/basic fractions from LLE and the SPE were fractionated on a LiChrolut® EN SPE column and analyzed by comprehensive GC×GC-TOFMS. Compared with LLE, more esters and alcohols were detected in the SPE-based extraction. The SPE fractionation and GC×GC-TOFMS analysis resulted in the identification of about 500 volatile compounds in more than 3000 peaks of the Wuliangye baijiu. The approach simplifies the complex baijiu composition into functional group-based fractions for reliable identification and analysis. This study provided a confidence volatile identification approach for Chinese baijiu based on the SPE fractionation GC×GC-TOFMS.

Keywords: GC×GC-TOFMS; LiChrolut® EN SPE; Wuliangye; baijiu; volatile fractionation.

MeSH terms

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / analysis*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / isolation & purification*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry* / methods
  • Solid Phase Microextraction* / methods
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization* / methods
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / analysis*
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Volatile Organic Compounds