Reliable and cost-effective
UniSolv® solvents from Merck for determining dioxins by GC-MS
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Dioxins are dangerous environmental pollutants with a very high toxic potential. Fortunately, they can be reliably determined by GC-MS using the GC solvents toluene, n-hexane, and dichloromethane. Merck offers all of these three solvents in high-purity UniSolv® grade. Due to their unique features, these Merck solvents are perfectly suited for detecting dioxin by GC-MS using established methods and offer distinct advantages over alternative solvents. |
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Testing food for dioxins is important
Dioxins, short for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF), are unintentionally produced in many industrial processes and can also occur from natural sources. In humans, dioxins can cause a severe form of acne, so-called chloracne, increase tumour risk, and damage the liver, the nervous system and the immune system, among others. Humans are primarily exposed to dioxins by eating contaminated food, mainly fish, meat, and dairy products. Because dioxins accumulate in the fat tissue of animals and humans over time, even small exposures may eventually reach dangerous levels. That's why testing food for dioxins is so important - a fact that is confirmed by many dioxin contamination incidents.
UniSolv® for reliable dioxin determination
According to the VDI guideline 3499 (an example of the application of DIN EN 1948), dioxins can be determined by gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS). For sample preparation the solvents toluene, dichloromethane and n-hexane are recommended. All three of these solvents are available from Merck in high-purity UniSolv® grade - with considerable advantages over alternative solvents.
Why use Merck UniSolv®?
The answer is easy: Because Merck UniSolv® offers the highest quality in comparison to other manufacturers, quality for reliable analyses, best batch-to-batch consistency and the broadest retention time range. That's why Merck recommends UniSolv®for applications that require the highest level of analytical reliability.
Analytical reliability
The high purity of UniSolv® solvents and a minimal signal-to-noise ratio permits you to obtain reliable and consistent analytical results - saving you cost-intensive additional purification efforts.
Time and cost savings through best possible batch consistency
We apply consistently high quality standards for each container leaving our premises. You can therefore be assured of achieving consistently reliable analytical results - without the need to repeat your tests.
Widest range of applications
Our UniSolv® solvents exhibit the broadest retention time window in which the specified contaminants are the lowest. As a result, you can use UniSolv® within the most comprehensive application range - you only need to use a single quality for your different applications.
GC solvents for the determination of dioxins in food using GC-MS:
- Dichloromethane for organic trace analysis UniSolv®
- n-Hexane for organic trace analysis UniSolv®
- Toluene for organic trace analysis UniSolv®
Be on the safe side - with UniSolv® from Merck. Because highest quality is the safest solution.
For more information, Please contact us.

