Potential Allergens in Aromatherapy Oils by GC/MS

The European Union (EU) regulates 26 flavor and fragrance allergens. GC/MS is an effective analytical technique for 24 of the 26 compounds listed as EU flavor and fragrance allergens. The GC/MS-amenable allergens (Table 1) are sufficiently volatile for this approach. Oak and tree moss extracts (the 2 remaining listed allergens) are less volatile and require LC/MS for effective analysis. The 24 GC/MS-amenable allergens are often components in fragrance, cosmetic and aromatherapy product formulations. Listed allergen limit targets are in place in the EU for rinse-off and leave-on fragrance and cosmetic products in the 10 – 100 ppm range [1]. Identification and detection of the listed allergens at these levels is readily obtainable using a single quad GC/MS approach. Acceptable levels and labeling requirements for aromatherapeutic products is less clear. These products can contain EUlisted allergens at levels more than ten times the acceptable level of 10 ppm for leave-on cosmetic products such as ointments and creams. Leave-on and rinse-off limits established for fragrance and cosmetic products serve as useful guides for analysis of aromatherapy products.

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