Vacuum In Tube Extraction V-ITEX
Vacuum In Tube Extraction – V-ITEX
Automated Vacuum Extraction for GC-MS Analysis — Simplified
Streamline volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis with the GERSTEL V-ITEX, an innovative vacuum-based extraction technique developed by Agroscope (Switzerland) and fully automated by GERSTEL. Designed for gentle, solvent-free extraction of VOCs — even from complex or temperature-sensitive matrices — V-ITEX delivers maximum reproducibility, precision, and low detection limits for confident results.
The Challenge of VOC Extraction
Traditional methods such as SAFE or Likens-Nickerson demand extensive time, manual effort, and high solvent volumes. These workflows:
Consume costly solvents and pose occupational safety risks
Fail to capture non-volatile components via conventional headspace GC-MS
Risk sample degradation or artifacts due to heating
V-ITEX changes that. Using a controlled vacuum rather than heat, it extracts and enriches analytes gently and efficiently — preserving sensitive compounds and reducing solvent use to virtually zero.
Key Features and Benefits
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Gentle VOC extraction: Ideal for thermally labile analytes — no heating required
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Automated enrichment and water management: Fully controlled via the GERSTEL MultiPurposeSampler (MPS) and V-ITEX module
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Direct desorption into GC-MS: Analytes are transferred via carrier gas stream for seamless quantitation
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Efficient sample drying: Enables full evaporation even of aqueous samples for improved recovery of polar compounds
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Cryogen-free operation: Dynamic focusing in the GERSTEL CIS 4 eliminates the need for liquid nitrogen
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Robust automation: Unattended, worry-free operation with reproducible vacuum-controlled performance
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Parallel incubation: The GERSTEL AGI-Stirrer increases throughput through simultaneous sample preparation
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Seamless integration: Compatible with most GC or GC-MS systems through GERSTEL ePneumatics
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Software ready: Integrated with Agilent MassHunter Acquisition Software
Areas of Application
V-ITEX is optimized for research and routine workflows alike:
- Flavor and fragrance analysis — dairy, beverages, and fermented foods
- Nutritional volatilomics — profiling VOCs in food and biological fluids
- Temperature-sensitive samples — such as milk, soy milk, and oat milk
- Research in volatolomics and VOC metabolomics
Related Articles
- Fuchsmann, A., et al. (2019). Development and performance evaluation of a novel dynamic headspace vacuum transfer “In-Trap” extraction method for volatile compounds and comparison with headspace solid-phase microextraction and headspace in-tube extraction. Journal of Chromatography A, 1602, 8–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2019.05.016 (CC BY 4.0)
- Fuchsmann, A., et al. (2020). Nutrivolatilomics of urinary and plasma samples to identify candidate biomarkers after cheese, milk, and soy-based drink intake in healthy humans. Journal of Proteome Research, 19(9), 3730–3741. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00324 (CC BY 4.0)
- Meng, Y., et al. (2021). Formation of 3-methylbutanal and 3-methylbutan-1-ol recognized as malty during fermentation in Swiss Raclette-type cheese. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 69(2), 717–729. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.0c06570 (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
- Fuchsmann, A. (2021). Vacuum and headspace – An efficient and fast combination for the extraction of volatile compounds. Chimia, 75(10), 888. https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2021.888 (CC BY 4.0)
- Bütikofer, U., et al. (2022). Serum and urine metabolites in healthy men after consumption of acidified milk and yogurt. Nutrients, 14(22), 4794. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14224794 (CC BY 4.0)
- Meng, Y., et al. (2023). Age-dependent serum volatilomics of milk and yogurt intake: A randomized crossover study in healthy young and older men. Journal of Proteome Research, 22(4), 1201–1212. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00674 (CC BY 4.0)
- Tintrop, L., & Fuchsmann, A. (2024). Dynamic headspace vacuum in-tube extraction and GC-MS for analyzing volatile compounds in various matrices. 3rd European Sample Preparation Conference, European Chemical Society, Chania, Greece. https://ira.agroscope.ch/de-CH/publication/57443 (Conference abstract)