Imposter Perfumes Analysis Theory

FACH2702 Practical Analysis of imposter perfumes Aim: To determine which out of 4 unknown samples are genuine perfumes, and which are imposter/fake perfumes. This will be done by analysing gas chromatography plots, and comparing the components in the samples to that of a known standard perfume. Results: To determine which of the four sample perfumes where imposter and which were real, components present in each perfume were analysed using gas chromatography and compared to the known real perfume sample. The components identified for comparison included vanillin, 3-penten-2-one, diethyl phthalate and cyclopentanaecetic acid.

The relative concentration of each of the components in the samples was calculated for comparison. In the control sample, the relative concentration of each of these components were calculated using the area under each of the peaks (appendix 3): The same was done for unknown perfume sample 1 and it was found that while the relative concentrations of each component were close to the control perfume, they were not close enough to conclude that the sample was a real perfume, (however a very good rip off). (appendix 4)

After analysing perfume sample 2, we could conclude that this sample was an imposter perfume as there was a significant increase in both 3-pentan-2-one and cyclopentanaecetic acid, to substitute for the loss in diethyl phthalate. (appendix 5). Sample 3 showed relative concentrations of each compound that were very close to the control sample, hence it was classed as a real perfume (appendix 6) It was found that sample 4’s relative concentrations of each component were completely off that of the control perfume, hence it is an imposter perfume. appendix 7) Discussion: There weren’t many areas for errors in this practical that would be attributed to our own human error. The gas chromatographer itself was very repeatable and hence the only error in the computers results would be due to a calibration error. Another error in this experiment could be linked to the preparation of the samples, some components in the perfumes are very volatile and hence if the cap were left off the perfume, concentrations of those components would decrease, altering the detection during analysis.

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Conclusion: Using Gas chromatography, the components vanillin, diethyl phthalate, 3-pentan-2-one and cyclopentanaecetic acid were analysed in four samples and their relative concentrations were calculated and compared to a known control perfume sample. From these calculations, it was concluded that samples 1,2 and 4 were imposter perfumes, while sample 3 had very similar relative concentrations of its compounds and was hence classed as a real perfume.

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