GC-MS Metabolite Profiling and Chemometric Analysis for Authenticity Verification of Commercial Lavender Essential Oils

A study conducted by researchers at Egyptian Russian University (Cairo, Egypt) aimed to perform a comparative metabolite profiling of four commercially available lavender oils in the Egyptian market using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis combined with chemometric analysis. A paper based on their research was published in Scientific Reports.¹

Why Are Essential Oils, and Especially Lavender, So Popular?

The popularity of natural products—especially essential oils—has skyrocketed recently because they are used in everything from medicine and skincare to everyday manufacturing. They also offer great health benefits, as they can help fight off germs, reduce swelling, and protect our bodies from damage.^2,3

Lavender (Lavandula spp.) is part of the Labiatae (Lamiaceae) family, one of the largest and most economically important plant families.⁴ For hundreds of years, people have used both dried lavender and its oil for healing and beauty routines. The oil is usually steamed right out of the plant's flowers and leaves. However, what exactly makes up the lavender can change a lot depending on where it’s grown, how it's cared for, and how the oil is collected.^5,6

Essential oil from lavender has been recognized for its antibacterial, antifungal, carminative, sedative, and antidepressant effects, and is considered beneficial for treating burns and insect bites^.7

What Did the Researchers Find?

The researchers reported a total of 54 volatile metabolites identified belonging to 8 chemical classes including alcohols, aldehyde/ketone, esters, fatty acids/esters, oxides, aliphatic, monoterpene, and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Alcohols and esters represented the abundant classes accounting for 24.7-42.6% and 11.4-46.1%, respectively, of the total volatile composition. Linalool and linalyl acetate, the principal quality markers of lavender oil were comparatively higher in two specific commercially available lavender essential oils (one measured at 33.61 [24.72%] and the other at 46.09, [32.65%]), indicating their higher quality among the examined samples. In contrast, certain samples exhibited unusually high levels of non-characteristic fatty acid esters and synthetic glycols, suggesting possible dilution or adulteration with carrier oils or formulation additives. Multivariate analysis further demonstrated clear compositional discrimination among samples, confirming substantial variability in the quality of commercial lavender oils available in the Egyptian market.¹

These findings,” write the authors of the paper,¹ “demonstrate that, while some variations may arise from natural factors or processing conditions, the occurrence of non-characteristic compounds can indicate compromised product authenticity. The lack of manufacturer-disclosed information regarding plant origin, cultivation conditions, and industrial processing represents a limitation when interpreting compositional differences among commercial oils, as these factors are known to significantly influence essential oil chemical profiles. Moreover, a limitation of this study is that the analyzed products were produced using different industrial extraction, which may contribute to part of the observed compositional variability.”

“Overall,” they continue,¹ “the results highlight the value of GC–MS profiling combined with chemometric analysis as a robust approach for authenticity verification, detection of potential adulteration, and quality control of commercial lavender oils. Such analytical strategies can support regulatory monitoring and help ensure product consistency and consumer confidence in the essential oil market.”

The researchers believe that “while GC–MS profiling provides detailed compositional information, future studies should also incorporate physicochemical parameters specified in regulatory standards, such as refractive index and density, to achieve a more comprehensive quality evaluation of lavender oil.”¹

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References

1. Abouelela, M. B.; El-Taher, E. M.; Shawky, E. M, Baky MH. Uncovering Adulteration and Quality Variations in Commercial Lavender Essential Oils from the Egyptian Market using GC-MS and Chemometrics. Sci Rep. 2026, 16 (1), 12735. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-45972-6
2. Mounira, G. M. Essential Oils and their Bioactive Molecules: Recent Advances and New Applications, in Ess. Oils-Recent Adv., New Perspect. Appl.; InTech Open, 2024. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.113406
3. Yang, H.; Huang, X.; Yang, M. et al. Advanced Analytical Techniques for Authenticity Identification and Quality Evaluation in Essential Oils: A Review. Food Chem. 2024, 451, 139340. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139340
4. Hassaballa, L.; Alsiddig, A. Bio-Taxonomic Study Based on Selected Aromatic Plants Species Related to Different Plant Families as Raw Material. J. Food Technol. Nutr. Sci. 2022, 152 (4).DOI:10.47363/78nrj073
5. Aly, S. H.; Khan, H.; Farag, M. A. Optimization of Lavender Essential Oil and Phenolic Yield: Advances in Extraction, Metabolomics, and Functional Benefits. Phytochem Anal. 2025, 36 (7), 1936-1958. DOI: 10.1002/pca.70023
6. Prusinowska, R.; Śmigielski, K. B. Composition, Biological Properties and Therapeutic Effects of (Lavender L). A Review. Herba Pol. 60, 56–66 (2014). DOI:10.2478/hepo-2014-0010
7. Grecu, M.; Henea, M. E.; Trifan, M. et al. Benefits and Uses of Lavender Essential Oil as a Complementary and Alternative Therapy-A Short Review. Lucrari Stiintifice: Seria Medicina Veterinara 2021, 64(3), 26–36.