A simple, rapid and simultaneous analysis of complex volatile hydrocarbon mixtures in blood using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with a wide-bore capillary column.

A screening method for detecting volatile hydrocarbons in blood has been developed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with a wide-bore capillary column and a headspace method. Toluene-d8 and indan were used as the internal standards for quantitative analysis. Hydrocarbons with retention indices from 600 to 1200 were simultaneously and quantitatively detected in relatively low concentrations (0.01 microgram/ml) in reconstructed ion chromatography. This method could prove useful in forensic cases in which urgent examination of complex hydrocarbon mixtures, e.g. petroleum components, is required.