Dynamic capillary diffusion system for monoterpene and sesquiterpene calibration: quantitative measurement and determination of physical properties

Abstract

This article describes a method for preparation of low concentration gas standard mixtures of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted primarily by plants. A set of 10 plant volatiles including α-pinene, β-pinene, 3-carene, linalool, methyl salicylate, α-cedrene, β-caryophyllene, β-farnesene, aromadendrene and α-humulene was used in the study. Gas standard mixture of these compounds was generated using a capillary diffusion system (CDS). Diffusion coefficient (D) and saturation vapour pressure (p s) data of these compounds were calculated from experimentally determined gas chromatographic retention indices (RI) and empirical relationships between D and p s versus RI. A comparison of the calculated and measured concentrations of investigated compounds has proved that designed CDS can be successfully used for the proper quantification of BVOCs.