: Helps determine the geographic origin of the plant.
: Each molecule is bombarded with electrons to break it into charged fragments.
: Identifies potential allergens or toxic contaminants.
: Measures the percentage of active therapeutic compounds (e.g., Linalool in Lavender).
: Comparing the oil against known "markers" (like n-alkanes) ensures high precision. Why It Matters Purity : Detects synthetic additives or "fillers."
: Analysts compare results against standard databases like NIST or Wiley.
: Different molecules move at different speeds based on their size and polarity.