[Identification methods of terpenoid gum bases using TLC and GC/MS]

Simple chromatographic methods were applied to terpenoid resins used as gum bases. Five triterpenoid resins, mastic, dammar resin, olibanum, benzoin gum and elemi resin, and two diterpenoid resins, rosin and copal resin, were separated with normal-phase TLC. Characteristic patterns were observed for all resins. Different samples of the same resin gave identical patterns. The TLC method is a candidate for a simple identification test for terpenoids resins. Samples were then methyl-esterified and analyzed with GC/MS. All resins exhibited characteristic chromatograms for total ion current. Major constituents of all resins were detected. Unique constituents that can be used as indicators were found in every resin. Therefore, GC/MS of methyl-esterified terpenoid resins is a valuable identification method.