Table of Contents

ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................. 2

1.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 3

2.0 OBJECTIVE....................................................................................................................... 5

3.0 APPARATUS..................................................................................................................... 6

4.0 PROCEDURE ................................................................................................................... 7

5.0 RESULT ............................................................................................................................. 8

6.0 DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................... 8

7.0 SAMPLE CALCULATION ............................................................................................... 9

8.0 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................. 9

9.0 RECOMMENDATION .................................................................................................... 10

10.0 REFERENCE ................................................................................................................ 10

11.0 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................... 11

1
ABSTRACT
Basically, this experiment is about the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in
ambient air by using gas chromatography (GC) which is often used to separate a mixture of
VOCs into its individual compounds and their concentrations are important for the evaluation
of indoor air quality. The main objective of conducting this experiment was to determine the
components in the two-different brand of perfume based on retention time of chromatogram
and to compare the composition of VOC content between two different samples with different
brand. Based on the result obtained, the major components present in the sample brand A
were methanol, ethanol, isobutane, acetone, n-Pentane, and n-Hexane. While brand B contain
ethanol, methanol and n-Pentane. For the composition of each component in sample brand
A, methanol has the composition of 35.95%, isobutane with 0.57%, ethanol with 57.21%,
acetone with 4.49%, n-Pentane with 0.57% and n-Hexane with 1.20%. While the composition
of each component in sample brand B were methanol, ethanol and n-Pentane with
compositions of 0.72%, 99.22% and 0.06% respectively. Last but not least, while running the
VOCs experiment there were some recommendations to ensure the experiment to attain more
accurate and precise results which are the experiment conducted supposed to run at least 3
times in order to acquire accurate data. Lower ramping rate should be used to reduce
unrestrained peak resolution. The injector should be press continuously to clear the gas that
might trap inside the injector to avoid the mixture of gasoline.

2
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are part of the large hydrocarbon family, a large
group of aliphatic, aromatic hydrocarbons, their halogenated derivatives, alcohols, ketones
and aldehydes[1]. VOCs have a tendency to convert into vapour or gas without any changes
in chemical. They are highly reactive hydrocarbons and engage in atmospheric photochemical
reactions. Some of them have negligible photochemical activity; however, they act as crucial
role as heat trapping gases in atmosphere[1]. VOC have extensive importance since they
have direct and indirect effects on climate change, ecology and human health either it is from
primary or secondary origin in ambient air. Majority of VOCs are of natural origin while many
owe their existence to anthropogenic activities. Examples of anthropogenic activities that
produce VOCs are vehicular emissions, petroleum products, chemicals, manufacturing
industries, painting operations, varnishes, coating operations, consumer products, petroleum
handling, auto refinishing, cold clean degreasing, printing inks, dry-cleaning etc. VOCs intend
to form ozone and other products if nitrogen oxides and sunlight are present. The prime
elimination process is the oxidation of VOCs by reaction with hydroxyl radicals[1]. The
oxidation of complex organic molecules leads to the fragmentation, production of a range of
reactive free radicals and more stable smaller molecules such as aldehydes. VOCs are cause
of concern firstly due to its role in formation of ground level ozone and smog and secondly due
to some of them being carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic in nature. Ambient air
monitoring of VOC is aimed to control or avoid adverse impacts on humans and ecology.

Example of product that containing VOC are perfume where it is one of the most
utilized product in our daily life. Modern perfume fragrances are the mixtures of natural and
synthetic essential oils and aroma compounds. It is found that the component used in perfume
product are possibly contain VOC ingredients. For example, acetone, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl,
methacrylate, methyl or ethyl, acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate[2]. At body temperature, these
aromatic compounds and the component in perfume become effective and volatile in air. VOC
content are classified as a toxic or hazardous by federal laws and it was found that every
single product of perfume containing VOC component[3]. The content of VOC in perfume is
concerned due to health effect to human including eyes, nose, throat irritation, headache,
damage liver, kidney and central nervous system. Some organic in VOC can cause cancer to
human and animal. Moreover, environment also might be affected by the secondary pollutant
that created from VOC content in perfume. When people used the perfume at outdoor, VOC
component are most effective to volatile in air since sunlight is presence. Thus, this factor will
affect the ozone layer. Analysis by gas chromatography (GC) is an ideal way to separate,
identify and quantify the content of most perfume fragrances.

3
 The two principle chromatographic methods utilized in modern analytical chemistry are
Gas Chromatography (GC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). In this
investigation, Gas Chromatography was utilized to transport sample components through
either packed column or hollow capillary column containing a polymeric liquid stationary phase
by utilizing a gaseous mobile phase. In most cases, GC segments have smaller inner diameter
and are longer than HPLC sections. GC has formed into a modern system since the
spearheading work of Martin and James in 1951, and is equipped for isolating extremely
complex blends of unpredictable analytes [4]. The figure below shows the GC instrument.

Figure 1.1: Gas chromatography instrument

As shown in the figure above, it can be seen where the gas inlet is fed from cylinders
through supply piping to the instrument. It is usual to filter gases to ensure high gas purity and
the gas supply may be regulated at the bench to ensure an appropriate supply pressure.
Besides, the area also can be determined. The percentage of mole composition can be
identifying by using this formula [4].

area of peak component x 100

% mole composition = total area

Moreover, there are some advantages and disadvantages of GC. GC techniques

produce fast analyses because of the highly efficient nature of the separations achieved. It
also is excellent for quantitative analysis with a range of sensitive and linear detectors to
choose from. GC is however limited to the analysis of volatile samples. Some highly polar
analytes can be derivatized to impart a degree of volatility, but this process can be difficult and
may incur quantitative errors. The compound in the sample is detecting by using Agilent 7890A
gas chromatography. This response is amplified and plotted against time giving rise to a
‘chromatogram.

4
 Figure 1.2: GC chromatogram

2.0 OBJECTIVE
The objectives for this experiment:

1) To determine the components in the two-different brand of perfume based on retention

time of chromatogram.
2) To compare the composition of VOC content between two different samples with
different brand

5
3.0 APPARATUS

Figure 3.1: Syringe as injector to take up the gasoline of sample

Figure 3.2: Different brand of perfume as the sample

Figure 3.3: Sealed bags is function to place the sample

Column where the Ensure the

injector release the temperature to
gasoline 50oC before start

Figure 3.4: Gas chromatography Agilent 7890A use to collect the data from system

6
4.0 PROCEDURE
Rinse syringe with sample for at least five times to prevent any contamination inside
the syringe. Next, the gasoline samples were placed in the sealed bags. Then, compressed
air is injected to the sample to fill the sealed bags with VOCs. Then, the sample taken by using
rinsed syringe and inject into the gas chromatography (GC) at temperature 50°C and run in
the column for 20-25 minutes to separate hydrocarbon before detected the flame ionization
detector (FID). Record and tabulate the data obtained from the GC.

As GC working principle, valve of Helium gas that acts as mobile phase was set to
open and the GC was turned on. Next, the GC was permitted to achieve the beginning
condition (set point) which is 50°C for test inlet temperature. At that point, the sample was
infused in GC once the temperature achieves the set point and let it isolated and keeps running
in the segment for certain time before distinguished the flame ionization detector (FID).
Ultimately, the information acquired from the GC was recorded and organized. The details
specifications about the gas chromatography used are as shown below:

Table 4.1: Information of Gas chromatography

Name Agilent Technologies 7890A Gas

Chromatography System

Column name 30m open tubular capillary column

Carrier name Helium

Oven Initial temperature= 50°C, Final

temperature= 90°C
Ramping rate=90°C/min

Flow rate 4mL/min

Injector Hand using syringe

Detector FID

Number of detector 3

7
5.0 RESULT

Table 5.1: List of components in sample (Brand A)

Component Retention time Area (pA*s) Amt/Area Mole

(min) (e-4) Composition (%)
Methanol 2.380 443.74124 5.79797 35.95
Isobutane 2.579 7.04266 2.76965 0.57
Ethanol 2.824 706.10913 0.00000 57.21
Acetone 3.160 55.40882 0.01062 4.49
n-Pentane 3.547 7.06941 1.42853 0.57
n-Hexane 5.480 14.79391 1.64425 1.20

Note: Total Peak Area = 1234.16517

Table 5.2: List of components in sample (Brand B)

Component Retention time Area (pA*s) Amt/Area Mole

(min) (e-4) Composition (%)
Methanol 2.390 17.86701 0.0000 0.72
Ethanol 2.824 2478.76514 0.0000 99.22
n- Pentane 3.547 1.5366 1.42583 0.06

Note: Total Peak Area = 2498.16875

6.0 DISCUSSION
The result for investigation VOC content in perfume at different brand A and B were
obtained as shown in table 6.1 and 6.2, respectively. Table 6.1 indicates the components
identified in brand A were methanol, isobutane, ethanol, acetone, n-Pentane, and n-Hexane
with mole composition of 35.95%, 0.57%, 57.21%, 4.49%, 0.57% and 1.20%, respectively.
While, table 6.2 show the components obtained for brand B only three which are ethanol with
highest percentage 99.22% mole composition, methanol of 0.72% in the middle and n-
Pentane with a least percentage of mole composition 0.06%. Brand A has the same
component with brand B which is ethanol that have the highest mole composition of 57.21%
compared to others. Isobutane and n-Pentane content in perfume brand A have the same
mole composition with 0.57% and these components are the least percentage VOC content

8
in this brand. Ethanol is the most volatile solvent that commonly used in perfume products and
it would rapidly evaporate from the sample preparation at room temperature. From the results,
it is explained that the mole composition of ethanol in brand B is highest the highest compared
to brand A. However, only three components of VOC were detected within retention time for
perfume brand B and this might be due to the error of injection of gas volatile organic
compound procedure that taken from the evaporate perfume sample. In contrast, for brand A
more than three components were detected and identified for each mole composition.

As the molecular weight of components low, it will lower the retention time and only
required less time to elute the component. Ethanol with molecular weight of 46.17 g/mol will
elute first than n-hexane with molecular weight of 86.18 g/mol. The highest composition of
VOC content in perfume will give an impact to health effects. Since, ethanol easily volatile and
evaporate, it is dangerous for human to use this kind of perfume as it can enter to human
body, lung, and may cause the respiratory system (i.e.; difficulty of breath).

7.0 SAMPLE CALCULATION

Mole composition of component:

𝑃𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡 (𝑝𝐴 ∗ 𝑠)

𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡 (%) = 𝑋 100
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 (𝑝𝐴 ∗ 𝑠)

Example; Mole composition of Ethanol for brand A

706.10913
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑙 (%) = 𝑋 100
1234.16517

= 57.21 %

8.0 CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, major components present in the sample brand A are methanol, ethanol,
isobutane, acetone, n-Pentane, and n-Hexane. Another sample with different brand, B contain
less component compared to sample brand A which are only three components occur ethanol,
methanol and n-Pentane. For the composition of each component in sample brand A,
methanol has the composition of 35.95%, isobutane with 0.57%, ethanol with 57.21%, acetone
with 4.49%, n-Pentane with 0.57% and n-Hexane with 1.20%. While the composition of each
component in sample brand B are methanol, ethanol and n-Pentane with compositions of
0.72%, 99.22% and 0.06% respectively.

9
9.0 RECOMMENDATION
There are some recommendations to ensure this experiment to attain more accurate and
precise results.

1) The experiment conducted supposed to run at least 3 times in order to acquire

accurate data.
2) Lower ramping rate should be used to reduce unrestrained peak resolution.
3) The injector should be press continuously to clear the gas that might trap inside the
injector to avoid the mixture of gasoline.
4) Put the injector immediately into the column to avoid the gasoline out.

10.0 REFERENCE
[1] A. Srivastava, D. Majumdar, Monitoring and Reporting VOCs in Ambient Air, Air Qual.
Monit. Assess. Manag. (2011) 137–148. doi:10.5772/16774.

[2] A. Tipler, The Characterization of Hop Aroma Using GC / MS , Headspace Trap and
Olfactory Port, Perkin Elmer Inc. Appilcation Note. (2013).

[3] M. Singal, D. Vitale, L. Smith, Fragranced products and VOCs, Environ. Health
Perspect. 119 (2011). doi:10.1289/ehp.1103466.

[4] CHROMacademy, Theory and Instrumentation of GC Sample Introduction, Crawford

Sci. (2012) 1–39. doi:www.chromacademy.com.

[5] H.- Spme, Gas Chromatography Gas Chromatography, 611 (2008).

10
11.0 APPENDICES

11
12
13
14