GC-MS Analysis of Sawdust Extracts

A method of GC-MS for analysis of sawdust extract was proposed. Samples of sawdust of 58 species of trees were taken and extracted with methanol separately, and each of the extracts was separated on DB-FFAP chromatographic column, and analyzed by MS under full-scanning mode. It was found that based on the different ways of connection of the carbon chain of the componental compounds, having the highest relative contents as shown in the group of characteristic peaks of each sample of sawdust extracts in the TIC chromatograms, the 58 species of trees could be divided into 3 groups, i.e., acyclic hydrocarbons, cyclic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic compounds. In addition, as shown by the results of MS analysis of the 58 sawdust extract samples, 13 compounds were found to be commonly present in the samples, and 24 compounds were found to be the specific components present in the related tree species. Hence, based on the structure of carbon chain of the specific component having the highest relative content, or the compound with relative contents next to the highest, the species of the tree sample can be deduced and identified.