Gas chromatography using a resistively heated column with mass spectrometric detection for rapid analysis of pyridine released from Bacillus spores

Gas chromatography using a resistively heated analytical column with full scan electron impact mass spectrometry (EI-MS) was used to detect pyridine generated from heating Bacillus spores in a custom designed furnace inlet, along with gasoline range aromatic (GRA) hydrocarbons representing an environmental contaminant that could interfere with detection of the biologically-derived compound. Gas phase materials from the furnace inlet were collected onto a section of cooled open tubular column, and carrier gas flow was then routed through the trapping column onto the analytical column. Both sections of column were contained within low thermal mass tubular metal sheaths, with each independently and resistively heated allowing rapid temperature ramps and cooling. An analysis time of 2 min resolved spore-derived pyridine from the other organics, and allowed identification by mass spectrum match. Throughput of 20 analyses per hour was shown to be possible with a 1-min column cool-down time between analyses.