3.2.5. Robustness
Robustness of the method was evaluated in four different
experiments. For the first experiment sample weight was varied
in the range of 50–70 mg (80–120% of prescribed sample weight).
Obtained results for fatty acid composition in the tested pumpkin
oil sample confirmed that a slight change of sample weight does
not have any influence on the results. In the next experiment the
starting temperature of analysis was changed to 55 C and 65 C.
Then carrier gas flow was different (80–120% of prescribed flow
rate). At the end the temperature program was varied to 6.5 C/
min and 7.5 C/min. Resolution of all peaks was slightly different
in experiments then in chromatograms obtained by the prescribed
conditions but in the acceptable range. The Tailing factor for all
peaks was in the range of 0.8–1.2 and remained stable during
robustness experiments. The Robustness experiments prove that
it is possible to speed up the analysis by speeding up the carrier
flow rate and temperature program without significantly disrupting
peak resolution although this was not done by reason of routine
sample analysis.