Gas chromatography (GC) yields superior separations of low boiling point volatile compounds. Therefore, preparative gas chromatography (Prep GC) was established by combining analytical GC with a sample collection system at the end of the column, enabling the efficient isolation of the volatile components from complex matrices and their subsequent collection after GC. As Prep GC is based on an analytical gas chromatograph, its injection, separation, detection, and fraction collection systems are continuously optimized and upgraded to improve the recoveries and purities of the target compounds. Prep GC, in combination with modern spectroscopic techniques (such as UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy), enables accurate structural elucidation of a target compound. Reports of the separations of various volatile components from complex matrices using Prep GC have recently increased annually, revealing promising application prospects. However, Prep GC also displays several disadvantages, such as the failure to separate thermolabile compounds, high separation costs, and the likely introduction of exogenous contamination. Based on the recent related research, this review summarizes the evolution of the structure of Prep GC and its application in isolating essential oil monomers, insect pheromones, volatile food and plant components, geological biomarkers, and persistent environmental pollutants. Finally, this review also summarizes and prospects the use of Prep GC in separating volatile components to provide a reference for the expansion of its applications.
分析型气相色谱仪对低沸点易挥发的有机化合物展现出优异的分离性能,通过在其色谱柱末端加装馏分收集装置,建立了现代制备气相色谱(Prep GC)技术,该技术可用于挥发性成分的快速分离富集。制备气相色谱仪是由分析型气相色谱仪改装而来,其进样系统、分离系统、检测系统、馏分收集系统也在不断地优化升级,以提高目标化合物的回收效率和纯度。Prep GC与现代波谱技术(如紫外可见吸收光谱、红外吸收光谱、拉曼光谱、质谱、X射线衍射、核磁共振波谱)耦合,可对分离富集得到的目标化合物的结构进行精准确证。近年来,与Prep GC在各种挥发性成分分离中的应用相关的报道逐渐增多,展现出良好的应用前景。然而,Prep GC在分离过程中也存在着无法制备热敏性化合物、分离成本高、易引入外源性污染等问题。该文根据近年来国内外研究学者的相关研究工作,对制备气相色谱仪的结构及其在精油单体化合物、昆虫信息素、食品和植物挥发性成分、地质生物标志物及持久性环境污染物的分离等领域的应用研究进展进行综述。最后,还对Prep GC在挥发性成分分离中的应用进行了总结与展望,旨在为拓展Prep GC应用领域提供参考。
Keywords: preparative gas chromatography (Prep GC); review; separation; volatile compounds.