Food and Beverage in Chromatography

In the food and beverage industry, chromatography techniques play a crucial role in analyzing, monitoring, and ensuring the quality, safety, and authenticity of products. CHROMacademy offers comprehensive chromatography training that is applicable to food and beverage professionals. Our courses cover essential techniques, including sample preparation, essential chromatography and mass spectrometry knowledge, practical instrument setup and maintenance, and advanced method development. Whether you're looking to improve quality control, ensure regulatory compliance, or enhance product testing, CHROMacademy provides expert designed training to boost your expertise in chromatography.

HPLC

HPLC offers high sensitivity and precision, making it ideal for testing complex mixtures in liquid food and beverage products.

Applications:

  • Identifying and quantifying ingredients, preservatives, and additives.
  • Detecting contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and antibiotics.
  • Analyzing sugars, amino acids, vitamins, and flavor compounds.

Reversed Phase Chromatography

The CHROMacademy reversed phase chromatography module is a comprehensive guide to this ubiquitous technique.

Ion Chromatography

The aim of this module is to introduce some of the working principles of ion chromatography and related techniques.

Normal Phase Chromatography

The aim of this module is to give an overview of the mechanism of normal phase chromatography (NP-HPLC) and explain the basis of the retention mechanism.

HILIC

The aim of this unit is to introduce hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) as a novel mode of chromatography. We will present both advantages and limitations of the HILIC separation mode.

Size Exclusion Techniques

This module focuses on size exclusion chromatography for the analysis of biomolecules.

Gradient HPLC

The aim of this module is to explain the problems that can be encountered when using isocratic HPLC, and demonstrate how these problems can be overcome using gradient HPLC. 

Practical HPLC Video Bootcamp

Join us for a little over an hour on this step-by-step guide through setting up an HPLC instrument. 

HPLC Method Development Video Training Course

This course considers the wide array of choices available to method developers and teaches a refined and logical approach to method development.

How to Select the Optimum HPLC Column

This webcast will allow you to understand how to select a stationary phase based on analyte chemistry, how particle morphology can be used to improve resolution, and how column dimensions can be altered to increase throughput.

GC

GC is highly effective in analyzing volatile compounds and can separate complex mixtures of gases or liquids with high accuracy.

Applications:

  • Analysis of volatile compounds like flavor, aroma, and essential oils.
  • Detection of solvents, residual pesticides, and environmental contaminants.
  • Testing for alcohol content and preservatives in beverages.

GC Temperature Programming

The aims of this module include illustrating the relationship between temperature and retention in GC, and highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of isothermal and temperature programmed GC separations.

GC Columns

The aims of this module include the comparison and contrast of packed and capillary columns. A revision session of of fundamental intermolecular interactions is included in order to relate the various types of interaction to retention in GC.

Internal Standards

This module will consider all of the practicalities of selecting and using internal standards correctly.

Practical GC Video Bootcamp

A step by step guide to setting up a GC instrument. From checking the cylinders, dismantling the inlet, to correctly installing a column and lighting an FID. All before shutting the instrument down correctly.

GC Sampling Techniques

The aims of this module include investigating the various sampling techniques available for GC analysis.

GC Sample Introduction

The aims of this module are to outline the various injector categories for GC as well as describe the components and working principle of split and splitless injectors.

Flame Ionization Detector

This module comprehensively details the working principles of this detector, giving you the knowledge and understanding to operate and optimize the detector for your analyses.

GC Method Development Video Training Course

This course provides you with the underpinning knowledge to begin your GC method development career.

GC Headspace Vial Crimping

This short video shows you how to get the optimal seal every time and highlights how to avoid common errors. Taking a few minutes to watch this video could significantly improve the performance of your headspace analysis.

Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

The aim of this module is to introduce supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) as a powerful solution for chromatographic analysis. The basic aspects of SFC are explained and the fundamental hardware typically used with the technique discussed.

Sample Preparation

Sample preparation is a crucial step in chromatographic analysis in the food and beverage industry, and its importance cannot be overstated.

Liquid/Liquid Extraction Techniques

In this module, the basic principles of liquid/liquid extraction (LLE) are described, as well as an overview of limitations and drawbacks of LLE protocols. Specific advice is given for various problems that are routinely encountered. 

Molecular Properties

This module introduces the concept of functional group chemistry as a means of targeting separation mechanisms in liquid and solid phase extraction (SPE). It explains the different types of functional group chemistry and investigates various physiochemical principles associated with different functional groups.

QuEChERS

This module will describe the underlying scientific principles behind QuEChERS allowing you to fully understand and successfully apply the process. 

Soxhlet Extraction

This quick guide details how Soxhlet extraction works, parameters that require optimization, and how improvements to the methodology and automation have allowed an increase in throughput and improved reproducibility. 

SPE Method Development

This module fully investigates the various aspects of practical SPE, as well as describing the basic principles and stages of method development in SPE.

Microextraction Techniques

The primary aims of any sample preparation technique are to provide clean samples and enrich analytes to reduce limits of detection (LOD). 

Optimizing Sample Preparation – Filtration

This quick guide will provides hints and tips for optimizing filtration using syringe end filters.

Eliminating Error During the Preparation of Samples

In this module we will follow two very experienced analysts as they guide you through the process of managing your workspace an samples in a way that eliminates errors.

Automatic Pipettes

The focus of this module is to provide you with practical information to improve your pipetting technique - this encompasses the use of pipettes, how to select the correct pipette and tip, how to and why we calibrate pipettes, as well as how to maintain them in order to have confidence that they are functioning reliably.

Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical tool used extensively in the food and beverage industry to identify and quantify compounds, detect contaminants, and ensure the quality and safety of products. MS provides detailed molecular information, making it indispensable for food quality control, flavor analysis, traceability, and regulatory compliance. CHROMacademy offers MS training that covers key mass spectrometric techniques used in food and beverage analysis.

GC-MS

GC-MS is a highly sensitive and widely used technique for analyzing volatile and semi-volatile compounds in food and beverages.

Applications:

  • Flavor and fragrance analysis: Identifying and quantifying volatile compounds responsible for taste and aroma.
  • Pesticide residue analysis: Detecting trace levels of pesticides in food products.
  • Essential oil analysis: Analyzing components in plant-based products (e.g., in herbs or spices).
  • Contaminant detection: Identifying contaminants such as solvents or adulterants in food.

Practical GC-MS Video Bootcamp

This bootcamp will empower you to correctly operate your instrument ensuring longer up-time, less troubleshooting, and more robust data acquisition.

GC-MS Library Searching

This module will detail the process of obtaining and extracting spectra for library matching, what is involved in the matching process, and interpreting match results. As well as providing learning on troubleshooting poor library matching.

Using Hydrogen as a Carrier Gas in GC-MS

For GC, switching an existing method from helium to hydrogen can often be relatively straightforward. For GC-MS though, there can be major challenges in making the switch. This module explores the common challenges and strategies that can be employed to resolve these.

Time-of-Flight Mass Analysers

The basic principles of mass analysis using time-of-flight mass analyzers are relatively straightforward in comparison to many of the other typical mass analyzing devices.

Quadrupole Mass Analyser

In quadrupole mass analyzing devices, electric fields are used to separate ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) as they pass along the central axis of four parallel equidistant rods (or poles) that have fixed (DC) and alternating (RF) voltages applied to them. 

GC-MS Contamination

Contamination is usually identified by excessive background ions in the mass spectrum. Contamination can originate from GC or MS components in the system.

GC-MS Solvent Delay

This quick guide will detail how to determine the solvent delay time for your method and outline the benefits of using this in every method.

What Can a GC-MS Tune Report Tell You?

A GC-MS tune report is invaluable as it provides information on how well the instrument is working, indicates if cleaning or maintenance is required, serves as a chronicle of how the instrument has performed in the past, and can be used to diagnose problems when troubleshooting.

LC-MS

LC-MS is ideal for analyzing non-volatile, thermally labile, and polar compounds that are not amenable to GC analysis.

Applications:

  • Foodborne pathogen detection: Identifying and quantifying microorganisms or toxins, such as mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxins), in food.
  • Additives and preservatives analysis: Detecting food additives, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and colorants in beverages or processed foods.
  • Nutrient profiling: Measuring essential nutrients such as vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids in food products.
  • Contaminant analysis: Quantifying heavy metals or environmental contaminants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food products.

LC-MS Introduction

This module explores the instrument acquisition methods used and examines the type of data that can be produced from such systems.

Solvents, Buffers, and Additives

In this module we will examine common additives used in LC-MS and explain the role of solvents, buffers and eluent pH in signal optimization.

Electrospray Ionization Theory

This module explains the function of the major components of an electrospray interface and discusses ways to optimize signal using electrospray ionization.

Electrospray Ionization Technique

This module discusses important parameters when carrying out electrospray ionization (ESI). Find out practical tips for overcoming ion suppression, optimizing sprayer position, and the role pH plays in signal intensity.

Electrospray Ionization Instrumentation

This module discusses the major components of an electrospray interface and investigates methods for optimizing signal.

Electrospray Ionization eLab

Interactive experiment focused on the important parameters for electrospray ionization (ESI).

LC-MS Introduction to MS/MS Experiments

A short video guide to introduce the types of MS/MS experiments which can be carried out.