Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME): a microscale sampling technique for determination of monoterpene hydrocarbons in coniferous needles by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

A headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) technique has been applied for the microscale sampling (single needle for Picea omorica, two needles of Picea abies) of volatile monoterpene hydrocarbons (MTHs) from conifer needles. A simple device consisting of a closed headspace vial equipped with an integral cutting device was used for the collection, homogenisation, and HS-SPME sampling. The highly sensitive gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analyses (LODs in tenths of ng g(-1) FW were obtained for 3xS/N criteria) of individual needles confirmed the space distribution of MTHs in different parts of a single sprout (base, centre, apex) and among the left, central and right sprout of a whorl.