Lavender Oil on Rxi-5Sil MS (20 m, 0.18 mm ID, 0.18 μm)

Importance of the topic

Characterization of essential oils such as lavender oil is critical for quality control in fragrance, pharmaceutical and food industries. Detailed compositional analysis ensures batch consistency, verifies botanical origin and supports safety assessments. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) remains a gold standard for volatile profiling, offering high sensitivity and selectivity.

Objectives and study overview

This study aimed to establish a robust, reproducible GC-MS method for comprehensive profiling of lavender oil constituents. Using a 20 m Rxi-5Sil MS column with a 0.18 mm internal diameter and 0.18 µm film thickness, the work sought to separate, identify and discuss 26 major volatile components, illustrating the method’s suitability for routine quality analysis.

Methodology

A 5 % solution of lavender oil in acetone was injected in split mode (100:1) with a 1 µL injection volume. The GC oven ramped from 100 °C (0.25 min hold) to 320 °C at 17.5 °C/min, holding final temperature for 10 min. Helium served as the carrier gas at 1.01 mL/min. Mass spectra were acquired in scan mode (35–500 amu) at 5 scans/sec, enabling reliable library matching.

Used instrumentation

• Gas chromatograph: Agilent 7890A GC
• Mass spectrometer: Agilent 5975C MSD (quadrupole analyzer)
• Column: Rxi-5Sil MS, 20 m × 0.18 mm ID × 0.18 µm film (Restek cat. 43602)
• Inlet liner: Topaz 4.0 mm ID precision wool-packed (Restek cat. 23305)
• Ion source temperature: 230 °C; transfer line: 300 °C; quadrupole: 150 °C

Main results and discussion

The chromatogram revealed 26 resolved peaks, including monoterpene hydrocarbons (α-pinene, β-myrcene, limonene), oxygenated monoterpenes (linalool, 1,8-cineole, borneol), and key esters (linalyl acetate, lavandulyl acetate, geranyl acetate). Linalool and linalyl acetate were among the most abundant constituents, confirming typical lavender chemotypes. Peak identities were confirmed by matching to the NIST MS EI spectral library.

Benefits and practical applications of the method

• Rapid separation of a broad range of volatiles within a 6 min window.
• High confidence in compound identification through library matching.
• Applicability for routine quality assurance and chemotype discrimination.
• Minimal sample preparation and solvent consumption.

Future trends and applications

Advances such as two-dimensional GC–MS, high-resolution mass spectrometry and chemometric data analysis will further enhance essential oil profiling. Integration of real-time monitoring and automated peak deconvolution could streamline quality control workflows. Emerging applications include authentication of botanical origins and detection of adulterants.

Conclusion

This GC-MS method on an Rxi-5Sil MS column provides a fast, reliable approach for comprehensive lavender oil analysis. The clear separation and accurate identification of 26 volatiles underscore its value for industry laboratories, research settings and regulatory testing.

References

1. Restek Corporation. Lavender Oil Analysis on Rxi-5Sil MS Column. Application Note, 2019.