Validation of a Manual Headspace Gas Chromatography Method for Determining Volatile Compounds in Biological Fluids

Background We report the validation of a method for the determination of acetaldehyde, acetone, methanol, and ethanol in biological fluids using manual headspace sample introduction and an acetonitrile internal standard. Methods This method uses a capillary column ( l = 30 m, I.D. = 0.25 mm, d F = 0.25 μm) installed in a gas chromatography–flame ionization detector (GC-FID) apparatus with a run time of 7.5 minutes. Results Analysis of the retention times and the resolution of the analyte peaks demonstrated excellent separation without widening of the peaks. Precision and accuracy were good (interassay precision <15% and recovery between 85% and 115%) in both blood and urine. Conclusion The method was linear (r >0.99) over the analytical measurement range (AMR) of each analyte.