Identification of Coffee Fragrances Using Needle Trap Device-Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometry (NTD-GC/MS)

E-mail: einyong@cu.ac.krReceived February 7, 2013, Accepted March 14, 2013A fast and simple sampling and sample preparation device, (NTD) has been developed and applied to sampleand analyze volatile components from ground coffee beans. Coffee fragrances and other volatile organiccompounds (VOCs) were sampled by the NTD and then analyzed by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry(GC/MS). Divinylbenzene (DVB) particles (80/100 mesh size) were the sorbent bed of the NTD. More than150 volatile components were first identified based on the database of the mass library and then finally 30fragrances including caffeine were further confirmed by comparing experimental retention indices (i.e. Kovatindex) with literature retention indices. Total sampling time was 10 minutes and no extra solvent extraction and/or reconstitution step need. Straight n-alkanes (C6-C20) were used as retention index probes for the calculationof experimental retention indices. In addition, this report suggests that an empty needle can be an alternativeplatform for analyzing polymers by pyrolysis-GC/MS. Key Words : Sorbent tube, Microextraction, Needle trap device, Coffee fragrance, Kovat indexIntroductionThe analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) andsemi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) is very importantdue to the fact that those compounds are ubiquitous andoften harmful to human health.