PRECONCENTRATION TECHNIQUES
There are several obstacles impeding complete characterization of odorous
samples when using gas chromatography (GC). In many cases identifi cation
remains ambiguous or questionable as a result of the presence of unknown
components at very low concentration levels. This is due to the fact that direct
injection of odorous samples into a GC is in most cases impossible due to the
low concentrations of malodorous compounds in these samples. This problem
can be overcome if a preconcentration step prior to analysis is introduced. In
general there are three possibilities for enriching components in an air sample:
absorbing the compounds in a suitable liquid, condensing them at low temperatures
(cryotrapping), and adsorbing them on a porous solid material.