Question 1

Distillation Reference Standards

Accepted Answer

To measure the quality of an essential oil sample, we compare its chemical profile with the data from another sample previously shown to be high quality. This other sample is called a reference standard. Our reference standards are taken from carefully collected samples of raw plant materials from all over the world, distilled in our state-of-the-art lab, and tested to ensure optimal purity.

Question 2

Analytical Chemistry

Accepted Answer

Analytical chemistry is the process of determining the chemical composition of aromatic plant material. Using advanced laboratory techniques like gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, our chemists can identify what chemical compounds are present in aromatic plant samples, in addition to finding the exact percent composition for each compound. This gives us a complete and unique chemical fingerprint for every sample we test.

Question 3

Method Development

Accepted Answer

While our testing methods are state of the art, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they can’t be improved. For instance, detecting aromatic plant constituents that exist in trace amounts can be difficult. Interpreting the data for previously undiscovered compounds requires expert skill. Method development involves finding ways to identify new constituents in aromatic plants, as well as developing customized testing to explore any questions about aromatic plants that have not been addressed previously. Through continued research, we are able to develop new technologies that allow us to improve our testing methods and better verify the purity of aromatic plant products.

Question 4

Biological Activity

Accepted Answer

Biological activity describes the way aromatic plants interact with structures inside living organisms. Our antimicrobial studies research how aromatic plants interact with microorganisms. Many aromatic plant compounds are already known to interact with cell surface receptors, enzymes in the cytosol, and membrane structures. However, the vast majority of aromatic plants’ bioactivity remains unexplained. We are involved in new research aimed at identifying and explaining the beneficial applications of essential oils.

Question 5

Isolation and Structure Elucidation

Accepted Answer

Isolation and structure elucidation is the separation of individual naturally occurring compounds of aromatic plants so that they can be independently studied to examine any biological or toxicological impact. Sometimes this process also includes the study of previously unidentified chemical compounds. Complex laboratory equipment and analysis software are used to deduce the structures of new compounds from raw chemical data. This allows us to expand our knowledge of chemical constituents within essential oils.

Research

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