Analytical method for quality assessment of lavender oil
Authors: Olivian Marincaș, Ioana Feher, Alina Măgdaș
Keywords: lavender oil, Lavandula angustifolia, qualitative analysis
Applications
The essential oil extracted from lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has numerous benefits and uses in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. Currently, the global market for lavender oil is estimated at over € 75 M€/year, with a high growth rate due to demand far exceeding supply.
Determining the quality of the oil is useful for growers in order to be able to choose the right variety for the geographical area and climatic conditions.
Qualitative analysis is also important at the stage of valorization of lavender oils because each variety must be used according to its specific characteristics.
Innovative aspects
Lavender oil has a very complex chemical composition, with up to 118 different constituents that can be identified, their proportions depending very much on the variety of the plant and its geographical origin. The quality of the product is closely related both to the concentration of the predominant components (linalyl acetate and linalool) and to the concentration of the minor components (camphor).
The method implemented by us accurately provides the chemical composition, which will lead to a superior valorization of lavender oils.
Technology
In order to quantify these components with 96-99% accuracy, we have implemented a new analytical method combining gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The conditions of separation of the components (flow rate, column, temperature program) have been optimized and their identification is achieved through the process of fragmentation of the molecules using mass spectrometer.
Advantages
- The analytical method (GC-MS) is fast and highly sensitive for the separation and quantification of compounds of interest in lavender oil
- Provides information needed to make lavender crops profitable
- Enables superior valorization of lavender oil