Environmental Traceability and Geographical Authentication of Cymbopogon Essential Oil from West Sumatra Using GC–MS-Based Chemometrics

Citronella essential oil (Cymbopogon spp.) is an important aromatic commodity whose quality and market value are affected by geographic origin. In West Sumatra, citronella oil from different production areas was commonly marketed as a homogeneous product, despite potential regional variations in chemical composition. This study aimed to discriminate and authenticate citronella oil originating from Pasaman, Solok, and Batu Sangkar using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) fingerprinting combined with chemometric analysis. Citronella oils were extracted by steam distillation and analyzed using GC–MS. Relative peak area data were processed and evaluated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to explore variations in chemical profiles and identify discriminatory compounds. Although the GC–MS chromatograms showed similar major constituents across all samples, PCA score plots clearly separated the samples based on their geographic origin. Loading plot analysis revealed that regional discrimination was driven by systematic variations in both major and minor compounds, particularly oxygenated monoterpenes and ester compounds. Pasaman samples were characterized by citronellal-dominant profiles, Solok samples were characterized by increased contributions of oxygenated terpenes and esters such as geranyl acetate, and Batu Sangkar samples exhibited a more balanced volatile composition involving monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. These results demonstrated that no single compound was sufficient for geographic authentication; instead, discrimination was achieved through multivariate fingerprint patterns. Overall, the integration of GC–MS fingerprinting and PCA provided a reliable and objective approach for geographic authentication, quality control, and traceability of citronella oil from West Sumatra.

کلیدواژه ها:

Authentication ، Chromatography ، marker ، metabolites ، omics