Techniques for gas chromatography of volatile terpenoids from a range of matrices

The commercial importance of the volatile mono- and sesqui-terpenoids has r esulted in a wide range of techiques being used for extraction, concentrati on, chromatography, and characterisation of constituents. The major chromat ographic technique is gas chromatography, and tandem techniques of chromato graphy linked to further chromatography and spectroscopy. allow much increa sed resolution, and greater ease of characterisation of terpenes. A wide ra nge of extraction techniques are discussed, and suitability for particular matrices and sample sizes outlined. Chromatography operating conditions and stationary phases, and techniques for solute identification are laid out. A number of applications of terpene analysis in many different matrices are discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.