GC–MS analysis of waxes in candle without chromatographic separations

This work is focused on the development of a new analytical method based on mass spectrometry that allows analysis of multi-component mixtures of substances with high boiling point. The principle of this method is the introduction of a sample into a gas chromatograph without its initial modification (derivatization) and determination of analytes based on the ion fragmentation ( m/z ) without chromatographic separation. The advantages of this newly developed method compared to the conventional methods (gas chromatography with flame ionization detector) are shorter analysis time and reduced background at lower temperatures. The presented method was successfully applied for evaluation of beeswax adulteration with paraffin and stearin at the 2.1 and 3.5% level, respectively. Graphical abstract