Lai-Hao Wang
Abstract
Introduction Fragrances may contain synthetic aromatic compounds (such as coumarin, nitro musks) as well as compounds of natural origin. Fragrances/flavors are used in a wide selection of products such as foods, medicines, cosmetics, and household products. Approximately 20% of essential oils consumed as fragrances in perfumery and cosmetics, 15% for the isolation of components and 5% medicine for aromatherapy. The majority (55%) of essential oils are utilized by the food industry for the production of aromatic extracts. The analytical control of essential oils is necessary to ensure the quality, shelf-life and storage conditions of products. Today, the gas chromatographic technique is almost exclusively used for the determination of essential oils. The scientific committee on cosmetic products and non-food products (SCCNFP) has selected 26 compounds causing contact allergies. In the European Union (EU) these “26 specific fragrance ingredients” require labeling on cosmetic and detergent products. Several methods have been proposed to identify fragrance allergens and determine their levels in essential oils, cosmetic products, and environmental samples (water and indoor air). Fragrances that are air-sensitive may form peroxides, respiratory irritants, and aerosol particles that cause inflammatory responses in the lungs. Exposure to fine particulate matter (aerosol) poses a significant health concern by increasing mortality and morbidity. According to previous studies, the terpenoids from essential oils emission participate in photochemistry reactions caused by aerosol products. Because essential oil contain unsaturated and cyclic terpenes, including alpha-pinene, d- limonene, linalool and geraniol which are found in detergents, fragrances and some other consumer products have been detected in indoor air. They can also form secondary organic aerosol (SOA) via reaction with ozone. Photochemistry of some allylic compounds such as cis-trans isoeugenol and citral, were oxidized in the presence of atmospheric oxygen or photosensitized species (O3, OH, NO3 etc). However, most reports have focused on photochemical reaction of eugenol derivatives to synthesis of new flavors chemicals. The intermediates of these photochemical products can percutaneous absorption or inhalation into human body. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry used in order to identify major metabolites of eugenol ester in rats. This study aimed to find out richer content suspected fragrance allergens in commercial essential oils and containing essential oil drugs. Then to study the effect of UV-B light irradiation of essential oils substrate, and the antioxidation effectiveness of eugenol derivatives in this process. Also, we investigated possible intermediates of photochemical reaction under the irradiation of the ultraviolet light.