Analysis of essential oil of Nardostachys chinensis Batal by GC-MS combined with chemometric techniques

The essential oil extracted from Nardostachys chinensis Batal (NCB) was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with two chemometric resolution methods (CRM), heuristic evolving latent projections (HELP), and selective ion analysis (SIA). Qualitative analysis was performed by comparing the obtained pure mass spectra with those in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) mass spectra database. Identification of some compounds was assisted by comparison of programmed temperature retention indices (PTRIs). The quantitative results were obtained by overall volume integration (OVI). A total of 69 compounds in the essential oil of N. chinensis Batal were identified, accounting for 93.98% of the total content. The major compounds were (−)-spathulenol, epiglobulol, trans-longipinocarveol, and patchouli alcohol which contribute to the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The results showed that the efficiency and reliability were greatly improved by use of chemometric techniques and programmed temperature retention index as assistants of GC-MS in identification of the plant essential oil.