Abstract
An analytical method for the determination of trace amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) relevant to the cosmetics industry was optimised, validated and employed for the analysis of commercial perfumes. The method used a combination of headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In addition to fibre type, three different HS-SPME extraction conditions were investigated simultaneously, namely incubation time, extraction time and extraction temperature, using a central composite design in order to determine the optimal conditions for the extraction of VOCs of interest. The main figures of merit of the proposed method (calibration range, limits of detection and quantification, trueness and precision) were evaluated for six different VOCs in both natural and synthetic fibres in order to validate it and verify its capability for the proposed application. The validated method was applied for the analysis of traces of commercial perfumes from fabrics, and the VOCs of interest were successfully quantified. This simple, highly sensitive, and robust method has the potential to represent a powerful approach for forensic reconstructions where perfumes have transferred between individuals, such as during assaults and sexual assaults.
Highlights
The interest in the detection and quantification of both natural and synthetic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been increasing in the last few decades across various economic and scientific sectors, including the food industry [1,2], the perfume and cosmetic industry [3,4], the environmental sector [5,6], and forensic sciences [7,8]
Curran [45] determined that the 50/30 mm DVB/CAR/PDMS was the optimal fibre for the collection of human odour samples, and so this fibre has become in the last couple of years the main solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibre used for analysis of human scent for forensic applications [11,46,47]
A method for the determination of VOCs specific to the cosmetic industry using headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was developed, optimised, and validated
Summary
The interest in the detection and quantification of both natural and synthetic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been increasing in the last few decades across various economic and scientific sectors, including the food industry [1,2], the perfume and cosmetic industry [3,4], the environmental sector [5,6], and forensic sciences [7,8]. Despite the wide popularity of perfumes and fragrances, the analysis of VOCs from cosmetic products for forensic applications has been limited. Clothing recovered from a crime scene, such as the clothing of a sexual assault victim, can be analysed for traces of fragrance VOCs. Trace material that has transferred can offer valuable information in forensic reconstruction to help identify contacts between objects, people, or locations [21]. Trace material that has transferred can offer valuable information in forensic reconstruction to help identify contacts between objects, people, or locations [21] Studies such as those by Scott et al [22] and Bull et al [23] have provided data that can begin to provide an empirical evidence base to understand the dynamics of various trace particulates, such as diatoms and pollen grains, in terms of how they can transfer and persist on clothing under forensic conditions. Despite the popularity of fragrances in modern societies, analysis of fragrance VOCs from clothing is not currently used in forensic analysis, but it could potentially be a useful tool to assess the likelihood of a contact between individuals
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