What’s GC/MS Test?

For any essential oil, the most imperative aspect is the quality and purity of the oil. To ensure the quality of essential oil produced GC/MS testing is carried out. The GC/MS testing report is a fingerprint of every lot of essential oil. The report highlights the distinctive properties and characteristics of the essential oil.

Every single lot of essential oil is GC/MS verified for pureness and quality. GC/MS testing is a chemistry modus operandi used for identification, separation, and fractional quantitation of distinct unstable particles existing in an essential oil. A GC/MS test is performed through two distinct methods, Gas Chromatography (GC) and Mass Spectrometry (MS). This method combines the structures of mass spectrometry and gas-liquid chromatography to classify dissimilar elements contained in an experiment sample.

• The Gas Chromatography splits the chemical blend into pure chemicals based on how they vaporise into gas. The separation of chemicals in the blendis based on their volatility.

• The Mass Spectrometry categorises the chemicals on the basis of its structure. It is an analytical method that is used for defining the primary composition of molecules and their percentages. This process also helps to identify if the essential oil is adulterated. All the chief and trace components are listed.

These tests help to detect if any adulteration has taken place in the essential oil blend. Furthermore, the detailed analysis of the chemical constituents in every oil mentioned in a GC/MS reports is substantial for the reason that the healing benefits and well-being concerns of essential oils are, largely, determined by their chemical composition.

For essential oils to have a healing outcome, the oil must be prepared from unadulterated plant extracts. Perfumed oils or adulterated oils will not provide healing results and possibly willcause allergies, chemical sensitivities, and pains

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry reports

A Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry report, for an essential oil, highlights the pureness of an oil. This test is also imperative for the reason that it focusses on the core chemical elements that give essential oils some of its relaxing/healing properties.

For instance, if a company aims to make a mixture to assist in reducing stress and tackling skin conditions similar to eczema the company might look at preparing an essential oil that has a greater content of Bergamot.

Below mentioned is an example of a GC/MS analysis of the essential oil from Chinese cinnamon (Scientific name: Cinnamomum cassia)

Why is GC/MS report important?

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry test report is imperative from both the company’s and the consumer’s perspective as it ensures that an essential oil is pure and has health benefits.

The test report completely nullifies the guesstimate, thereby, providing actual results. Though it is difficult for a layman to understand the chemistry behind essential oils, however, users of essential oils are recommended to begin evaluating GC/MS reports themselves to be better informed about essential oils – research about components to find out their healing properties.

The more an individual understands the properties and health benefits of an essential oil the better will be the results. There might not be a certified standard that defines an oil’s superiority, however, there are specific parameters which ensure the quality and therapeutic benefits of an essential oil. For instance, it’s generally acknowledged that Lavender essential oil is used for stress liberation and aids with sleep. To determine this, there are two methods –

• Check for the components in Lavender oil and verify if reasonable amount of linalyl acetate and linalool are present in the oil – according to research, these two products have shown to have tranquilising properties, or,

• Use Lavender oil and personally experience its stress liberation and ‘help with sleep’ property

Typically, every essential oil company performs a GC/MS test on its essential oils. Once an essential oil is verified, the chemical constituents are categorised into chemical families for healing amalgamation purpose. These reports encompass all the chief constituents along with certain trace components. The chemical family data is transcribed on each essential oil sold. Nowadays, essential oil companies also have information about the GC/MS report on their websites.

An essential oil’s Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry test report is of utmost importance when a company uses a component-based amalgamation method for therapeutic usage of the oil.

The test report is a very influential tool in aromatherapy. Correct use of a report is determined by the reading of results. If an individual has interest in chemistry/science, a GC/MS report can further develop the association with essential oils. Numerous people in the aromatherapy community treat GC/MS to be the lone investigative method for essential oils.

It is, without a doubt, the fundamental method of quality control process applied to essential oils. GC/MS analysis can identity most volatile compounds, help to compare similar essential oils, aid in identifying adulterants or contaminants, indicate percentages with rational accuracy, and distinguish between a distilled essential oil and supplementary extracts.

In short, GC/MS report is an exceptional tool to categorise volatile molecules and with time it has turned into the basis of essential oil analysis.

Important Things to Know About Essential Oil GC/MS Analysis Report

• Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry test report is made up of two diverse measures – the gas chromatograph (GC) which splits up constituents, and the mass spectrometer (MS) which is a form of detector

• GC/MS is an outstanding tool to detect volatile molecules

• Helps to quantify comparative amounts of each component in an essential oil

• Most companies publish their GC/MS testing reports for people to see