Multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC) is a chromatography method used to separate complex samples, especially those with components that have similar retention factors, by running the eluent through two or more columns instead of the customary single column. MDGC equipment can be found in chemistry, environmental science, and industrial labs and is particularly known for its applications in fragrance and flavor sciences.
There are two techniques for performing MDGC. In the traditional heart-cutting method all components pass through a first column and portions that were not adequately separated will be “heart-cut” out of the first column to be passed through a second column for further separation. While the heart-cutting technique is still a widely used method, for separations that require a higher degree of accuracy, another technique called GCxGC is often used. The GCxGC method differs from heart-cutting in that the entire eluent is passed through both columns. In the first column, the eluent is bunched into discrete fractions by a modulator, then each discrete fraction is released one at a time into a second column where further separation is achieved. The modulator considered by many to be the most important part of a GCxGC system.
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