Trends in the Direct and Indirect Chromatographic Determination of Organosulfur Compounds in Various Matrices

ABSTRACT Organosulfur compounds (OSCs) are found in various matrices including fossil fuels, petrochemicals, food, environmental and biological samples. However, these OSCs can be beneficial or detrimental, depending on various factors. For example, OSCs found in vegetables have shown to be anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, lipid regulators and anti-cancer compounds. Additionally, OSCs found in alcoholic beverages enhance the aroma and taste. Alternatively, OSCs in fossil fuels can cause catalyst poisoning during fossil fuel processing which can result in H2S formation. The H2S can corrode processing machinery and liberate toxic sulfur emissions to the atmosphere, which then react with water to form harmful acid rain. Thus, monitoring concentration levels of OSCs in various samples is of interest. In this review, chromatographic analytical techniques that are mostly reported for both qualitative and quantitative determination of OSCs in various matrices are described based on direct (no sample preparation) and indirect (sample preparation needed) analyses. The merits and possible limitations associated with direct and indirect analyses are also discussed. Furthermore, the analytical performances of the various published sample preparation methods are evaluated in terms of accuracy, limit of detection and precision. Lastly, this review highlights current gaps in OSC chromatographic determination and possible future developments.