Identification Of Camphor And Menthol Using Gas Chromatography: Lab Report

CHAPTER 4

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Identification of camphor and menthol using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC – MS)
In this study, the presence of menthol and camphor were determined from 5 different locally produced medicinal topical ointment samples. Sample of Vick® VapoRub® and Hurix’s Massage Balm were purchased from local pharmacies, Bunga Cengkih Balm and Serai Balm samples were purchased from the grocery shop. Buah Pala Balm sample was purchased from the night market. Sample of Serai and Buah Pala both do not have the meditag of hologram which indicates that they are not certified by the MOH.

For identification of menthol and camphor in the samples, mass spectrometry (MS) was used due to its ability to measure
All the samples of topical ointments used in this study gave warming and cooling effect when applied on the skin since they are used to treat pains of muscles, joints or spine. According to Koprowksi et al. (2014), the chemicals that responsible to give the effect of warming and cooling feeling are camphor and menthol, respectively. Therefore, the absence of these two compounds in the samples indicates that the manufacturers have added other compounds that will give the warming and cooling effects on the skin. Table 4.1 shows the retention time, quality and peak area of camphor and menthol in each
In Figure 4.1, it can be seen that both camphor and menthol were detected in sample of Vicks ® VapoRub ® at retention time of 14.121 min and 14.26 min, respectively. The quality of camphor and menthol were found to be high with the value of 91 and 97, respectively. The area for camphor was 3.0282 x 10 8 and 2.368 x 10 8 for menthol. Based on the presence of camphor and menthol, it can be postulated that these two compounds are responsible for the effect of warming and cooling when it was applied on the skin.

Figure 4.1 GC - MS chromatogram for sample of Vicks ® VapoRub®.
Figure 4.2 and Figure 4.3 show the chromatogram for sample of Hurix’s Massage Balm and Serai Balm, respectively. Camphor and menthol have been detected in both samples. The peak of camphor compound is at retention time of 14.104 min for Hurix’s Massage Balm sample and Serai Balm sample is at 14.129 min. Meanwhile, the peak of menthol compound for Hurix’s Massage Balm sample is at 14.485 min and 14.405 min for Serai Balm