Derivatization for GC/MS analysis

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This article introduces a pretreatment method to enable the analysis of substances that are difficult to analyze using GC/MS. The pretreatment that converts difficult-to-analyze substances into analyzable forms is called "derivatization." Methods such as esterification, acylation, and silylation are used selectively according to the types and characteristics of the difficult-to-analyze substances. GC/MS measurements were conducted on citric acid solutions and citric acid solutions after esterification. It was found that citric acid, being a carboxylic acid, was not effectively detected without derivatization, but after esterification, trimethyl citrate was detected, confirming the presence of citric acid. By performing appropriate derivatization, more accurate analysis becomes possible.