Qualitative evaluation of aromatic herbs by direct head space (GC)2 analysis. Methodology and some preliminary applications

A simple, quick method is described for GC head space evaluation of herbs and drugs. The proposed procedure consists of milling a weighed sample of a certain herb in a glass device like a Braun MXK coffee grinder, modified in such a way that a special gas-tight valve allows the direct sampling of the vapors. Glass capillary columns are used to analyze the head space volatiles. Some preliminary applications of the method are given.