Analysis of Japanese incense sticks by gas chromatography

Abstract

Components of Japanese incense sticks were analyzed by gas chromatography by use of a solid sampler. Analytical conditions were chosen so as to obtain the actual odor of burning incense sticks.
Borneol, eugenol, α, β-santalol, coumarin, musk xylene and methyl p-coumaric acid ethyl ester were identified. These were considered to be natural and synthetic perfumes mixed in the incense sticks.
Differences of components in commercial incense sticks (15 kinds) were distinctly shown by their gas chromatograms. Relations between odor of the burning incense sticks and their gas chromatograms were found.