Headspace measurement of ethanol in blood by gas chromatography with a modified autosampler.

Abstract

An autosampler intended for liquid injection into a gas chromatograph was modified to serve as an automatic headspace sampler by replacing the syringe with a 100-microL gas-tight syringe and shortening the needle that normally enters the vials for sampling. Instead of the usual 1.0 to 1.5 mL of liquid sample, the vials contained 200 microL of liquid; the vapor above the liquid was injected into the gas chromatograph. Blood samples from California drivers were analyzed for ethanol by using the modified autosampler and the values were compared with those obtained by two other methods: the Smith modified version of the Widmark diffusion desiccation oxidation method (J Lab Clin Med 38: 762, 1951) and direct injection of diluted blood into the gas chromatograph. The correlation coefficient between the headspace method described in this paper and the titration method was 0.984; with direct injection, 0.997.

Interactive Effect of Alcohol and Nicotine on Developing Cerebellum: An Investigation of the Temporal Pattern of Alcohol and Nicotine Administration

“…The blood samples were analyzed using a gas chromatograph (Model# 3900; Varian, Palo Alto, CA). The basic gas chromatographic parameters were similar to those reported in a methodological paper by Penton (1985).…”

Fetal and Maternal Thyroid Hormone Responses to Ethanol Exposure During the Third Trimester Equivalent of Gestation in Sheep

“…The vials were tightly capped with a septum-sealed lid and stored at room temperature until analysis by headspace gas chromatography (model 3400, Varian Associates, Palo Alto, CA) at least 24 hr after collection. The basic gas chromatographic parameters were like those reported by Penton (1985), with the exception of the column (DB-Wax, Megabore, J&W Scientific, Folsom, CA) and the carrier gas (helium) used.…”

Melatonin (an Antioxidant) Does Not Ameliorate Alcohol‐Induced Purkinje Cell Loss in the Developing Cerebellum

“…The samples from the ALC and ALC/MEL groups were analyzed with a headspace gas chromatograph (model 3400, Varian, Palo Alto, CA), and the ones from the MEL and GC groups were discarded. The parameters for the BAC analysis were similar to those documented by Penton (1985), with two minor exceptions: the carrier gas (helium) and the column (DB™-Wax, Megabore®, J&W Scientific, Folsom, CA). The values of BAC were reported as milligrams per deciliter.…”