Volatile components of C. citratus were
identified by gas chromatography coupled with
mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with a mass selective
detector, model QP-PLUS-2010 (SHIMADZU). The
chromatographic column used was a fused silica
capillary column with stationary phase Rtx-5MS, 30
m long and 0.25 mm in internal diameter, using
helium as the carrier gas. Temperature of the
injector and detector were 220ºC and 300ºC,
respectively. The initial column temperature was
60ºC, programmed for an increase of 3ºC per min
until reaching a maximum temperature of 240ºC
(CASTRO et al., 2004). Each essential oil
component was identified by comparing their
Kóvats retention index relative to a standard alkane
series (C9-C26) and comparing its mass spectrum
with reference data from the equipment database
(NIST/EPA/NIH 08 Mass Espectral Library) and the
literature (ADAMS, 2007).