The Fragrance Materials Association (FMA) has proposed a method for analyzing essential oils on polar and nonpolar capillary GC columns. A performance evaluation mixture should be used to aid in detecting inlet problems, stationary phase degradation, loss of resolution, changes in sensitivity, and the presence of reactive sites in the sample pathway. Our test mix is consistent with the mixture proposed by the FMA. The required 5% test solution is made by diluting the 0.5 mL of neat mixture to 10 mL with acetone. The working solution will be stable for up to one week if transferred to a dark container and stored refrigerated.
Benzoic acid (65-85-0), 1.0%
Benzyl salicylate (118-58-1), 35.7%
1,8-Cineole (Eucalyptol) (470-82-6), 0.5%
trans Cinnamaldehyde (14371-10-9), 0.5%
Cinnamyl acetate (103-54-8), 0.3%
Cinnamyl alcohol (104-54-1), 0.3%
Ethyl butyrate (105-54-4), 35.7%
Geraniol (106-24-1), 0.6%
Hydroxycitronellal (3,7-Dimethyl-7-hydroxyoctanal) (107-75-5), 5.0%
d-Limonene (5989-27-5), 20.0%
Thymol (89-83-8), 0.3%
Vanillin (121-33-5), 0.1%