GC/MS Analysis of Limonene as an Allergen Present in Perfume Samples
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Wei Zhou
Department
CSM – Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract
D-Limonene (R-(+)-limonene, C₁₀H₁₆) is a naturally occurring fragrant terpene found in fruits, flowers, and aromatic herbs, responsible for the characteristic fresh citrus scent of oranges, lemons, and related fruits. It is widely employed in perfumes, colognes, soaps, shampoos, and cleaning products for its bright, uplifting aroma. Both D-limonene and its oxidized derivatives are recognized as potential allergens in fragrance products. Along with coumarin, linalool, benzyl alcohol, and other compounds, D-limonene is among the 26 fragrance allergens identified by the European Union Cosmetics Regulation; these substances must be declared on product labels if their concentrations exceed 10–100 ppm. However, no regulatory limit exists for their maximum allowable concentration in the EU or under U.S. FDA regulations. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed D-limonene in various commercial fragrance products using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A 25-minute elution protocol was developed and applied to both standard D-limonene solutions and diluted perfume and cosmetic samples. Here, we present a comparative summary of D-limonene concentrations across different products.
Disciplines
Analytical Chemistry
GC/MS Analysis of Limonene as an Allergen Present in Perfume Samples
D-Limonene (R-(+)-limonene, C₁₀H₁₆) is a naturally occurring fragrant terpene found in fruits, flowers, and aromatic herbs, responsible for the characteristic fresh citrus scent of oranges, lemons, and related fruits. It is widely employed in perfumes, colognes, soaps, shampoos, and cleaning products for its bright, uplifting aroma. Both D-limonene and its oxidized derivatives are recognized as potential allergens in fragrance products. Along with coumarin, linalool, benzyl alcohol, and other compounds, D-limonene is among the 26 fragrance allergens identified by the European Union Cosmetics Regulation; these substances must be declared on product labels if their concentrations exceed 10–100 ppm. However, no regulatory limit exists for their maximum allowable concentration in the EU or under U.S. FDA regulations. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed D-limonene in various commercial fragrance products using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A 25-minute elution protocol was developed and applied to both standard D-limonene solutions and diluted perfume and cosmetic samples. Here, we present a comparative summary of D-limonene concentrations across different products.