Sample preparation strategies for comprehensive volatile fingerprinting

Comprehensive multidimensional chromatography (GC × GC) has burst the separation capabilities of the classical monodimensional GC. Along with the enhanced separation power, the layers of information that can be extracted from a two-dimensional (2D) plot are significantly increased leading the handling of such complex datasets towards the metabolomics approach. To maximize the output of such a powerful combination, the sample preparation step plays an essential role. This chapter aims to give a detailed overview of the sample preparation techniques used to cover a broad range of volatiles for untargeted GC × GC analysis of odourants. A theoretical insight within the different techniques used will be given, covering both static and dynamic extraction methods with particular emphasis to green sample preparation techniques. Static methods include static headspace (SHS), HS-solid-phase microextraction (SPME), HS sorptive extraction (HSSE), while, dynamic methods include dynamic HS (DHS) using thermal desorption tubes (TDT).