New State-of-the-Art in Gas Chromatography Columns

Researchers relying on gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) will be interested in a new line of ultra-low bleed columns that has appeared on the market.

The line of TraceGOLD GC capillary columns was introduced by Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (Waltham, MA, USA), a developer of analytic instrumentation.


The value of ultra-low bleed columns is readily apparent to investigators who rely on GC/MS technology. Low bleed columns are essential for the integrity of analytic results. The amplitude of baseline noise associated with column bleed is indicative of stationary phase stability. A low bleed, stable column produces consistent results, and the low baseline noise enables improved limits of detection with enhanced resolution of low-level analytes. Column bleed also contributes to contamination of the MS; minimizing column bleed extends the interval between scheduled maintenance, leading to higher productivity.

Run-to-run reproducibility is essential for all analytic laboratories. An advantage of low column bleed columns is the greater reproducibility of the stationary phase over a period leading to greater run-to-run reproducibility.

Thermo Scientific maintains that the TraceGOLD GC columns assure the highest levels of reproducibility, ensuring that the best peak shapes and sensitivity are obtained every time.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific