Quantitative Analysis
The area under a peak is proportional to the amount of analyte present in the chromatogram. By calculating the area of the peak using the mathematical function of integration, the concentration of an analyte in the original sample can be determined. Concentration can be calculated using a calibration curve created by finding the response for a series of concentrations of analyte, or by determining the relative response factor of an analyte. The relative response factor is the expected ratio of an analyte to an internal standard (or external standard) and is calculated by finding the response of a known amount of analyte and a constant amount of internal standard (a chemical added to the sample at a constant concentration, with a distinct retention time to the analyte).
In most modern GC-MS systems, computer software is used to draw and integrate peaks, and match MS spectra to library spectra.
Read more about this topic: Gas Chromatography, Data Reduction and Analysis
Famous quotes containing the word analysis:
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—Henry Brooks Adams (1838–1918)