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Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Rapid Collection of Floral Fragrance Volatiles using a Headspace Volatile Collection Technique for GC-MS Thermal Desorption Sampling
Published on: December 10, 2019
The application of thermal desorption GC/MS with simultaneous olfactory evaluation for the characterization and
Nicole E Rabaud1, Susan E Ebeler, Lowell L Ashbaugh
1Crocker Nuclear Laboratory and Department of Viticulture and Enology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis 95616, USA. nerabaud@ucdavis.edu
Abstract:
Few analytical methods exist that combine chemical and sensory analysis of odorous compounds in whole air. Volatile organic compounds were collected by sampling air downwind from a small dairy through sorbent tubes of Tenax TA and Carboxen 569. Samples were analyzed by thermal desorption into a cryotrap and subsequent gas chromatographic separation, followed by simultaneous olfactometry and mass spectrometry. Because compounds are concentrated during sampling, sensory analysis encountered compounds at a concentration 40 times that in air, making this a useful method for identifying trace compounds participating in odor. Twenty odorous and nonodorous compounds were identified and quantified, including straight-chain and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated compounds, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, and organic acids, at air concentrations of 0.55-320.20 microg/m(3). Compound peaks were characterized by odors ranging from offensive to pleasant, demonstrating the integrative nature of olfaction. This method could be useful in studying many kinds of odors in air.
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