In the Mass Spectrometry Facility we analyzed and compared the compounds from microwave, hydro and steam distillation processes using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. Here are the results from the students.

Clove, Allspice and Cinnamon

Clove
a bowl of cloves
Clove

Joseph's Clove Project.

The plant Syzygium aromaticum, also known as cloves, has been historically used as a flavouring in food and as a perfume due to its highly aromatic an…
Allspice
jar of allspice
Allspice

Allspice Hydrosol

Rose found frog molecules in this Hydrosol which contains 1/2g per litre eugenol.
Cinnamon
a stack of cinnamon sticks
Cinnamon

Juli's mystery Cinnamon Sticks.

Juli, determined which variety of cinnamon she had, by the abundance of the chemicals present in the hydrosol. Cinnamon Hydrosol is largely made up of…

Thyme, Oregano, Savory

Thyme
Bunch of thyme
Thyme

Chloe's fresh Thyme Hydrosol.

Chloe from Happy Valley, Goose Bay found only two chemicals in Fresh Thyme Hydrosol.
Oregano, Origanum vulgare
fresh oregano in a jar
Oregano, Origanum vulgare

Oregano, Origanum vulgare

Oregano hydrosols were prepared using the microwave extraction method which enhanced extraction efficiency and preservation of delicate volatile compo…
Winter savory
winter savory
Winter savory

Winter and Summer Savory

The hydrosol from these herbs is very simple made up of only 3 chemicals.

Long pepper and Ginger

Long Pepper
Long Pepper on plate
Long Pepper

Kiran and Long Pepper Hydrosol.

The discovery of another frog molecule, elemicin.
Ginger
a jar of fresh ginger
Ginger

Ginger Hydrosol

Ginger Hydrosol, arguably my favourite. With both geranial and neral, the smell is soft and warm. Kadidja, made this by grating fresh ginger.

Black Cardamom and Green Cardamom

Black Cardamom
black cardamom
Black Cardamom

Eelana and Black Cardamom Hydrosol. A fourth year project.

Eelana, distilled black cardamom by microwave and by hydro. She made oil and hydrosol and this weird emulsion, which is both oil and water based.
Green Cardamom
sack of green cardamom
Green Cardamom

Srjeeta's Green Cardamom. A fourth year project.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the hydrosol created through microwave and hydro distillation contains similar medicinal components …

Opoponax, Nutmeg, Dill

Opoponax Resin
Opoponax Resin
Opoponax Resin

James Resin and Rinds Project.

Making hydrosol from resins is quite different than herbs, as James is discovering.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg in a bowl
Nutmeg

Three Frog Molecules in Nutmeg

One of the few hydrosols to produce an oil. Nutmeg led to a whole honour's project for Kiran.
Dill
Bag of dill seeds
Dill

Rose and Dill Seed Hydrosol. That's a lot of carvone!

This began a project looking at molecules like dillapiole, we affectionately called them frog molecules!

Basils

Vana Holy Basil Leaf
Vana Holy Basil Leaf in a bowl
Vana Holy Basil Leaf

Vana Holy Basil Leaf, Ocimum gratissimum

The primary objectives of this research project are to conduct an analysis of Vana Holy Basil Leaf hydrosols.
Rama Holy Basil Leaf
Rama Holy Basil Leaf, Ocimum sanctum bunch
Rama Holy Basil Leaf

Rama Holy Basil Leaf, Ocimum sanctum

Rama Holy Basil Leaf is a plant known for its lengthy history, wide range of uses, and potential health advantages.
Lemon Basil Leaf
Lemon basil leaf
Lemon Basil Leaf

Lemon Basil Leaf Ocimum Basilicum Var Citriodorum

Lemon basil leaf contains rich source of dietary antioxidants. This herb was found in mainly northeastern Africa and southern Asia.

Chamomile, Yarrow, Lillac

German chamomile
German chamomile
German chamomile

German Chamomile

Bisabolo Oxide is the dominant chemical in this german chamomile hydrosol.
Purple Yarrow
Purple Yarrow
Purple Yarrow

Purple Yarrow

Collected from Stacey's Garden, another hydrosol project by Rose. 1,8 cineole known as eucalyptol is the dominant chemical in this hydrosol. Do you ha…
Lilac
jar of lilac peddles
Lilac

Crab Apple and Lilac Hydrosol

Rose won a prize at The Trent Mass Spectrometry Conference 2023 for her analysis of all the isomers of Lilac Aldehyde.

Cedar, Wintergreen, Sweet Woodruff

Cedar Thuja Plicata
Cedar
Cedar Thuja Plicata

Amy used her Cedar Hydrosol to create a bug spray.

This Cedar Leaf from the genus Thujo, produced a hydrosol that contained the molecule thujone.
Wintergreen
Wintergreen
Wintergreen

Wintergreen Hydrosol

Laila for her final year of high school, made and analyzed winter green. Laila chose wintergreen because of it's pharmaceutical properties.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff

Sweet Woodruff Hydrosol.

Rachel, enjoyed her summer 2023 in the lab, so much she returned for her honours project.

Helichrysum, Lavender, Peppermint and spearmint

Helichrysum
wreath of Helichrysum
Helichrysum

Helichrysum hydrosol

The Helichrysum flower originates from the Mediterranean regions of southern Europe and northwestern Africa.
Lavender Augusta Folia
Lavender
Lavender Augusta Folia

Lavender Hydrosol

Lavender oils and hydrosols contain more than 100 compounds with the two major constituents being linalool and linalyl acetate.
Peppermint
Peppermint leaves in a glass jar
Peppermint

Peppermint and spearmint

Plants play a crucial role as primary producers in ecosystems, converting solar light into food through photosynthesis.
Korean Mint and Hyssop
Korean Mint and Hyssop
Korean Mint and Hyssop

Hyssop and Korean Mint

Is the Chemical Composition of these two plants from the mint family similar?