A new method for quantitative essential oil analysis, using combined steam distillation-extraction is described. The construction of the micro-version apparatus is such that all the volatile material is collected in only 1 ml of dichloromethane containing a suitable internal standard. The main advantage is that no further enrichment by evaporation is required. The method allows the quantitative analysis of total essential oil content and the percentage of the individual compounds in less than 4 h, including sample preparation, steam distillation-extraction and capillary gas chromatographic analysis.
Copyright © 1981 Published by Elsevier B.V.