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My Reward PointsGC/MS testing refers to Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry testing. This test is conducted to test the purity of complex mixtures.
When it comes to testing essential oils, GC/MS testing plays a crucial role in determining whether the oil contains cheap oils or additives. So, brands that get the GC/MS analytical reports from certified labs earn the reputation of providing pure and authentic essential oils to their customers.
More information about GC-MS essential oil analysis and associated benefits for essential oil brands has been provided in the sections below.
Why GC/MS Testing Matters for Essential Oils?
Brands wanting to present their essential oils as pure and authentic strive to get the GC/MS testing done from an accredited lab. The following reasons make them do this analysis for their products:
1. Verifies Purity & Authenticity
GC/MS testing verifies whether cheaper additives or oils have been used instead of premium ones. The dilution, fillers, and purity level are also analysed in the lab. So, performing this test with positive results verifies the purity and authenticity of the essential oils.
2. Detects Adulteration and Contaminants
The adulteration in the form of fillers and additives can be easily checked with this test. For instance, if a cheap fragrance oil is used instead of a real concentrated essential oil, the GS MS test will confirm this immediately. So, it is crucial to get this analysis done by experts.
3. Ensures Consistency & Quality Control
Consistency and quality control are integral parts of any process that intends to offer high-quality oils to its customers. GC MS testing ensures that the essential oil maintains its consistency for every batch of production. It also verifies the quality of the compounds present in the oil.
4. Helps Determine Therapeutic & Safety Suitability
Calming, antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and other therapeutic properties of the oil can be verified through GC MS oil analysis. It also checks whether or not chemicals, metals, and other contaminants are present in the oil. So, it verifies whether the oils contain anything that makes them unsafe for children, pets, and individuals with specific health concerns.
5. Provides Detailed Chemical Profile
The chemical profile of an essential oil, i.e. the compounds present in the oil, is compared to those found in the ingredient from which it has been extracted. So, GC MS testing verifies whether an essential oil is natural or not.
How GC/MS Testing Works?
Two analytical tools, viz. GC and MS are used to test the essential oils. Let’s check the step-wise process followed while carrying out the GC MS essential oil analysis:
Step 1: First, a small amount of the oil is injected into the Gas Chromatography (GC) tool. It is then heated at a high temperature till it converts into a gaseous state.
Step 2: Now, the gas gets pushed into a tiny tube using any of the inert gases such as helium. The special coating in the tube reacts with the different compounds present in the gas. They are also separated from the gas on the basis of their boiling points.
Step 3: The separated compounds are then inserted into the Mass Spectrometry (MC) tool. Here, they get targeted by electrons and segregated into separate ions. These ions go through a magnetic field to determine their weight. The lighter ions tend to bend more than the heavier ones.
Step 4: Finally, the quantity of each type of ion is measured using a detector. This data shows the intensity of a particular type of ion in the oil. The MZ (Mass-to-charge) ratio works as a fingerprint of the molecules present in the original oil. The obtained data is then compared with the reference libraries to perform the qualitative and quantitative analysis of each compound.
This extensive testing done at a certified lab makes the GC MS testing for essential oils a gold standard in the industry.
What does a GC/MS Report Show?
The volatile and semi-volatile compounds of essential oils are identified and counted during the GC MS test. The following details are present in the GC MS report:
Chromatogram: A GC-MS report contains a chromatogram, which is nothing but a graph with peaks of different heights. Each peak represents a specific compound.
MS: MS or Mass Spectrum represents the MZ ratio of the separated ions. This data is used to identify the compounds present in the library by comparing the MZ ratio with the reference libraries.
Identification of Compounds: The details of the compounds identified during the GC MS oil analysis are also provided in the GCMS testing report.
Quantification: The amount of every compound identified during the test is also present in the report.
The report is interpreted by analysing these details during the GCMS testing.
Who Should Care About GC/MS Testing?
GCMS testing is useful for the following stakeholders of the essential oil business:
1. Essential oil buyers/consumers: Consumers or buyers must check whether the essential oil they purchase has gone through the GC MS test or not.
If yes, they must also go through the GC MS report provided as documentation along with the oil. It is important as this report verifies the purity and quality of the essential oils.
2. Aromatherapists, formulators, skincare/haircare product makers: Brands or businesses such as aromatherapists, formulators, skincare, and haircare makers must check the GC MS report. It is crucial because it helps them determine whether the essential oil they will be using in their products or formulas is good enough or not.
3. Retailers / Suppliers: Retailers or suppliers of essential oils must request for the GC MS test report from the manufacturers. It will help them provide pure and authentic essential oils to their customers.
4. Researchers/Botanists: Researchers or botanists can verify the purity of essential oils through GC-MS testing. However, if they want to skip this test, they can get essential oils that have already been tested by a GC-MS certified lab.
Tips for Consumers: How to Use GC/MS Reports When Buying Oils?
Customers must be aware of the technical terms used in the GC MS test reports. Before buying any oil, they must verify whether the manufacturer has offered the GCMS report or not. If not, they can explore the oils that offer this report either on their website or in the product documentation.
They must check the list of compounds mentioned in the report and also verify their percentages. If a chemical compound is present in higher quantities, they can avoid buying that oil.
The botanical name of the oil must be verified to ensure that they are buying the oil of the appropriate species. They must also check if the test has been performed by a reputable third-party or independent lab. The batch number, testing date, and adulteration details must also be verified by the consumers.
Conclusion
This was everything about the GCMS testing process and report. We hope you now understand the significance of this test. Always look for the GC MS test report and analyse it carefully before purchasing any essential oil. If you don’t understand the technical terms used in the report, seek information online. Or else, you can also take guidance from an expert, especially if you are interested in buying essential oils in bulk.
FAQs
Q1: Can GC/MS testing detect synthetic additives?
A1: Yes, GCMS testing can check whether an essential oil contains synthetic additives or not. These details are usually provided in the ‘adulteration information’ section of the GC MS report.
Q2: Do all essential oil brands provide GC/MS test reports?
A2: Most renowned brands offer GC MS test reports for their essential oils. However, some cheap oils do not come with this information.
Q3: Are cold-pressed or steam-distilled oils GC/MS tested?
A3: Yes, both steam-distilled and cold-pressed oils generally go through the GC-MS essential oil analysis.
