Análise cromatográfica/olfatométrica do potencial aromático de extratos naturais livres e incorporados a materiais pela impregnação supercrítica

Abstract

The determination of the contribution of certain constituents to the global odor of a product has been the subject of interest to researchers. It is known that only a small part of the large number of volatile compounds present in a fragrant matrix contributes to the perception of its odor. In addition, these molecules do not contribute equally to the global odor profile of a sample, so a large relative concentration of a compound; do not necessarily correspond to a high intensity odor. Gas chromatography/olfactometry (GC/O) is analytic technic appropriate for studying such issues, since it enables the assessment of odor of each component of complex mixture through specific correlation with the compounds of interest. This is possible because the volatile components of the substances have perceived simultaneously by two detectors, one being the human olfactory system and the other the chromatography detector. The objective of this study is the project, development, implementation and validation of a hybrid equipment (GC/O) to olfatometric analysis and the use of it as tooling for analysis of natural extracts incorporated in different materials. The initial result of the work consisted of the olfactometer own, tested and validated for use in studies associated with this thesis. With the olfactometer, essential oils were analyzed of native species in order to assess the aromatic potential of these extracts and volatile compounds of honey as a way to develop and validate an alternative technique to identification source. With the results referent to the equipment and raw materials, there was made studies on the controlled release of volatile compounds impregnated in textiles by supercritical impregnation, using the gas chromatography/olfactometry as an analytical method.