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In chromatographic analysis of multicomponent real samples, peak overlapping, high level of noise and background are frequently encountered, making the qualitative and quantitative analysis difficult or even impossible. In this work, an algorithm named as generalized window factor analysis (GWFA) was proposed for quantitative analysis of the target components in the samples with complex matrices by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The theory and calculation of GWFA are just similar with the conventional window factor analysis (WFA), but the “window” is defined as the selected channels (mass-to-charge ratios) in the mass spectral dimension of the data matrix, instead of a continuous region in chromatographic dimension along the retention time. Therefore, the generalized window for a target component can be easily determined with the help of the mass spectrum. Then, the calculated mass spectrum can be obtained with the window and quantitative determination can be achieved with the help of the standard. Both simulated and experimental data were investigated with the proposed method. Whether or not a peak shift occurs during the test, accurate results were obtained from the overlapping GC–MS signals with high level of noise and background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] An automatic, rapid and non-targeted detection method for multi-pesticides in plant-derived foods was developed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and chemometrics. In this method, a novel algorithm named moving window iterative target transformation factor analysis was proposed. Although there are challenges of peak overlapping and background interference, the retention time and corrected mass spectra of unknown pesticides can be automatically obtained through iteration calculation in the 'moving window' with reference to the pesticide mass spectral library. One mixed pesticide standard and nine varieties of plant-derived foods were investigated with the proposed method. By contrast, a fast temperature programme was used to shorten detection time compared to the standard temperature programme. For the mixed standard, the mass spectra and retention times of all 39 pesticides were successfully obtained from the overlapping signal. Furthermore, all spiked pesticides were successfully detected in plant-derived foods within 10 min using a fast temperature programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]