Characterisation and authenticity assessment of rosemary and laurel essential oils using compound specific isotope analysis

Simić, Pavle (author), Strojnik, Lidija (author), Ogrinc, Nives (author), Poklar Ulrih, Nataša (author)

The chemical composition, antioxidant activity and authenticity of commercially available rosemary (REO) and laurel (LEO) essential oils from the Slovenian market were investigated. In both EOs, 1,8-cineole was identified as the most abundant compound. It was determined that VOCs in lower concentrations contribute more to antioxidant activity compared to more abundant compounds. Key isotopic markers for adulteration detection were determined using compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA). The sensitivity of the developed method was evaluated, demonstrating the best sensitivity for linalool in REO and for sample contains more than 19% of linalool (47% for α α-pinene in LEO, which means if the -pinene) synthetic fraction, it is almost certain (95% probability) that falsification will be suspected. When analysing commercial EOs declared as natural, the δ 13 C VPDB values indicated possible falsification of several VOCs in EOs. The developed methodology has shown great promise in the quality control of EOs, verifying labelling claims and detecting adulteration.

• Language: English
• Keywords: GC-C-IRMS, rosemary, laurel, essential oil, authenticity, antioxidant activity
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 11 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 517, art. 149404
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-182929
• UDC: 665.52/.54:543.61
• ISSN on article: 0308-8146
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.149404
• COBISS.SI-ID: 278281219
• Publication date in RUL: 28.05.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Food chemistry
• Shortened title: Food chem.
• Publisher: Applied Science Publishers
• ISSN: 0308-8146
• COBISS.SI-ID: 6385415

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: eterična olja, rožmarin, lovor, potvorbe, pristnost, antioksidativna aktivnost