Head-Space GC-FID
Definition
Gas chromatography with flame-ionisation detection run on the vapour above a sealed sample. The standard forensic method for methanol and ethanol in beverages and biological fluids. On a polar wax column (DB-WAX, polyethylene glycol), methanol elutes before ethanol.
Related terms
- Chromotropic Acid Test
- Confirmatory colour test for formaldehyde (and hence indirectly for methanol). Chromotropic acid (4,5-dihydroxy-2,7-naphthalenedisulphonic acid) plus concentrated sulphuric acid plus formaldehyde gives an...
- Denatonium Benzoate
- Bittering agent (Bitrex), one of the bitterest known compounds, detectable by taste at the parts-per-billion level. Added at very low concentrations to...
- Denaturant
- A chemical added to industrial ethanol to make it unfit for human consumption (and therefore exempt from beverage-alcohol excise). Indian Standards list...
- Fomepizole
- 4-methylpyrazole. A competitive inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase used as the first-line antidote for methanol poisoning. Ethanol (oral or IV) is the older,...
- Formic Acid
- HCOOH. The toxic terminal metabolite of methanol, produced after alcohol dehydrogenase converts methanol to formaldehyde and aldehyde dehydrogenase oxidises formaldehyde to formate....
- Hooch
- Illicit, unregulated country liquor. Indian regional names include haatch, desi tharra, and santhi. Typically distilled from molasses, jaggery, or fermented fruit, with...
- Methanol
- Methyl alcohol, CH3OH. Boiling point 64.7°C. Found in wood spirit, windshield-washer fluid, and as a deliberate adulterant in illicit liquor. Toxic via...
Explained in
- Analysis of Methanol, Denaturants and Illicit LiquorsGas chromatography with flame-ionisation detection run on the vapour above a sealed sample. The standard forensic method for methanol and ethanol in beverages...