FACULTY OF RESOURCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARMENT OF CHEMISTRY

STK 2043 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY II

ASSIGNMENT: KOVAT’S INDEX

Then Yuan Zu (58154)

MEMBERS AND MATRIC NO.
Yeo Yit Juan (58338)

LECTURER Professor Dr. Zaini bin Assim

GROUP 1
INTRODUCTION
Chromatography
Chromatography is the separation of sample components with the mixture of compounds
by physical method. The different compounds will interact with two phases which are mobile
phase and stationary phase (Grob & Barry, 2004) and travel through a supporting medium. The
classification of chromatography will base on the two phases and the supporting materials.
Chromatography can be classified into three types which are liquid chromatography (LC), Gas
chromatography (GC) and Supercritical-fluid chromatography (SFC), the following table shows
the specification of each chromatography (Coskun, 2006).

Figure 1: Classification of column chromatographic method

Gas chromatography (GC) often used for the separation of organic compounds in a
solution (ChemLibre, 2015). The mobile phase involve in GC is an inert gas such as helium or
hydrogen gas. The use of GC is preferred over thin layer or paper chromatography in the
separation of volatiles mixtures. GC is sensitive to detect the substances present and the quantity
of chemical in the sample (BCC, 2014). The following diagram shows the basic components in a
GC.
 Figure 2: Schematic diagram of GC

Before the sample is injected into the column, it will be vaporized first, then the sample will flow
through the column along with mobile phase. The stationary phase in the column will help to
absorb to the inert solid surface (Sheffield Hallam University, n. d.).

GC will show sharp and symmetric peaks as it has good resolution. It also shows the high
repeatability and reproducibility for the retention time of the sample components. The peak
measurement areas show precision and accuracy in quantitative analysis. Lastly, GC consists a
minimum thermal and catalytic decomposition for sensitive sample components (Al-Bukhaiti,
Noman, Qasim & Al-Farge, 2017).

Quantitative analysis
Quantitative analysis of GC can be shown by the chromatogram. The chromatogram for
unknown sample will be compared to the standard sample chromatogram with the retention time
of specific peaks.
 Figure 3: Comparison of standard and unknown sample chromatogram

As an example, Bezerra and Antoniosi (2014) had used the GC-FID to analyze the steroid
content in biodiesel, the soybean biodiesel will be compared with commercial biodiesel.

Figure 4: GC-FID analysis of steroids present in commercial biodiesel and soybean biodiesel.

Qualitative analysis
Kovat’s index (KI) had been chosen for the qualitative analysis of 25 unknown
compounds. The KI of an unknown compound is its retention time normalized to the standard n-
alkanes retention time (Socratic, 2015). The unknown components of essential oil can be
determined by comparing the calculated KI with the Pherobase Kovat’s Index database.
 There are two ways to calculate the KI value for the sample, which are in the isothermal
operation or by using the temperature programming in GC. The column temperature in

isothermal operation of GC is maintained constantly throughout the analysis (Azo Meterials,

2015). The KI for isothermal operation can be calculating as following formula:

Where,

Tr = The retention time

n= Number of carbon atoms of the smaller n-alkane eluting before the peak of unknown
compound
N= Number of carbon atoms of the larger n-alkane eluting after the peak of unknown compound
(Bramston-cook, 2010.)

The isothermal operation can only being used to analyze a few sample components, thus
it is not suitable to be used in analyzing the 25 unknown components of Homalomena aromatica.
Thus, another method should be used, which is the temperature programming. The temperature
can be controlled throughout the analysis. It can be used to analyze a large number of unknown
samples. The KI for temperature programming can be calculated by using the following formula:

Where,

Tr = The retention time

n= Number of carbon atoms of the smaller n-alkane eluting before the peak of unknown
compound
N= Number of carbon atoms of the larger n-alkane eluting after the peak of unknown compound
Instrumentation
Gas chromatography was used to analyze the unknown compounds in the rhizome and
stem of the Homalomena aromatica sp. The instrument used in this analysis is the GC-FID
Perkin Elmer Clarus 680. GC-FID Perkin Elmer Clarus 680 contains two-channel chromatograph
with autosampler, two flame ionization detectors and standard column thermostat for two
chromatographic columns (Ceitec, 2016). The model contains injection volume of sample in the
range between 0.1 to 5 L. The Clarus 680 GC model maximizes the throughput with the fastest
injection-to-injection time among any of the conventional Gas Chromatography due to the high
performance oven with the fastest combined heat-up and cool-down rate together with enhanced
temperature programmed injectors (Clarus Gas Chromatographs, n.d.). The universal
Programmable Split-Splitless (PSS) and Programmable On-Column (POC) injectors design
makes large volume injection of volatile solvents possible.

Figure 5: GC-FID Perkin Elmer Clarus 680

Detector
According to J&W Catalogue (1998), a detector in gas chromatography is a component
that converts the interaction between the solutes eluting from the column and the detector into an
electronic signal which then sent to the data system. The signal generated is then plotted against
the time and a chromatogram will be produced. Different detector will have different selectivity
on the type of compound to be detected. The detectors which exhibit response to specific types
of solutes are called selective detectors. In this experiment, the type of detector used is the flame
ionization detector (FID). Flame ionization detector is the most widely used detector and it is a
destructive detector. As reported by J&W Catalogue (1998), GC-FID is suitable to be used to
analyze compounds with C-H bonds. Besides, it is also suitable for analyzing organic substances
containing hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (Gas Chromatography, n. d.).
It produce a poor response for some non-hydrogen containing organics such as
hexachlorobenzene.

Figure 6: Schematic diagram of FID

When analyzing sample by using GC-FID, first, the sample undergoes a combustion in a
hydrogen or synthetic air flame in FID. Then, ions and free electrons will be formed in the flame.
A measurable current flow was produced by the charged particles in the gap between the two
electrodes in the detector. The resulting current flow has greater strength than the signal
produced by the pure carrier gas and the fuel gas flame alone. The difference in the signal
provides the information about the sample being analyzed (Gas Chromatography, n. d.). Hence,
it can be concluded that the current is proportional to the composition of the separated sample.
Besides, GC-FID requires the use of a carrier gas to transfer sample from the injector
through the column and into the FID detector. The carrier gas should be inert and not be
absorbed by the column material. Helium, nitrogen and hydrogen are the most common carrier
gas used in GC-FID.
The detector gas such as hydrogen and synthetic air acts as a fuel gas and oxidizing gas
during the combustion process. The presence of impurities, moisture and oxygen in the
hydrocarbon sample can produce greater baseline noise that have an adverse effect on the
detection limit. Therefore, these impurities in the detector gas have to be minimized.
Column
According to Rahman et al., (n.d.), columns or the stationary phases are considered as the
‘heart’ or ‘brain’ of the chromatograph as they are responsible for the separation process. In a
gas chromatography system, a sample will first be vaporized and then injected into the head of
the column packed with a finely divided solid or coated with a film of liquid. When the sample
traverses through the column, its components are separated depends on the differences in their
interactions with the stationary phase or the column. The concept of polarity is very useful while
selecting the column. If the polarity of the stationary phase and the components are similar, this
will result in longer retention time. In this experiment, the DB-5 column used is a non-polar
stationary and thus, if the component traverses through the column consists of non-polar
compound, it will result in longer retention time whereas if the component passes through the
column is a polar compound, a shorter retention time will be observed.
Aside from the polarity of the column, column length, column diameter and the column
film thickness are also considerable factors that can influence the choice of the column (Agilent
Technologies, n. d.). The DB-5 column used in this experiment is 25m in length, 2.5mm in
internal diameter and the column film thickness is 0.25um.

Temperature Program
Temperature program and isothermal operation can be used for the identification of the
component of the sample. In isothermal operation, the column temperature is constantly
maintained throughout the analysis while in temperature programming, the ramp rate and the
temperature profile can be adjusted during the run. However, temperature programming is
selected over the isothermal operations as the run time in isothermal operation is longer than that
in the temperature programming. Besides, peak broadening for late eluting components also
occurs in the isothermal operation. In this experiment, the temperature programming setting is
used as the Homalomena aromatica is rich in essential oil and hence it contains numerous
compounds with different polarity. The temperature program can prevent significant peak
broadening for compounds which are to be eluted later.
In this analysis, temperature programming was set with the starting temperature of 50°C
and held for 2 minutes. The temperature was increased with a ramp rate of 3.5°C/min until it
reaches the final temperature of 300°C and held for 10 minutes.
Homalomena aramatica
Homalomena aromatica is a plant which can be found in the Southern Asia. According to
Policegoudra et al, (2012), the Homalomena aromatica rhizomes are rich in essential oils and
hence, it has been attributed for many medicinal uses. As reported by Laishram, Nath, Bailung
and Baruah (2006), the essential oil extracted from the Homalomena aromatica can also be
processed and manufactured into perfume. In this experiment, the rhizome and stem of the
Homalomena aromatica were analyzed in order to determine the unknown compounds present in
the respective part of the plant.

OBJECTIVES
1. To calculate the Kovat’s Index for the identified 25 major components in the
Homalomena aromatica rhizome and stem samples respectively based on its area %
2. To identify 25 major components in the Homalomena aromatica rhizome and stem
samples by comparing the calculated Kovat’s Index with Pherobase

EXPERIMENTAL
a) Materials and Apparatus
 GC-FID Perkin Elmer Clarus 680 with DB-5 column (25m x 2.5 mm x 0.25 um
thickness)
- The injector temperature and detector temperature were both kept at 280°C.
The oven temperature was programmed from 50°C for 2 minutes and was
then followed by 3.5°C/min ramping to 300°C and held for 10 minutes.
 Homalomena aromatica rhizome
 Homalomena aromatica stem
 Nitrogen gas (as carrier gas)
 Hotplate
 Beaker
b) Procedure
i. Sample Preparation- Hydrodistillation
1. The Homalomena aromatica rhizome was packed in a still and a sufficient
quantity of water was added and brought to a boil
2. The essential oil will be freed from the oil glands in the plant tissues.
3. The vapor mixture of water and oil was condensed by indirect cooling with
water.
4. The distillate was flowed into a separator from the condenser, and the oil was
separated automatically from the distillate water.
5. The distillate was collected for analysis purpose.
6. On the other hand, Step 1-5 were repeated by replacing the Homalomena
aromatica rhizome with the Homalomena aromatica stem.

ii. GC FID Analysis

1. Both the essential oil obtained were then subjected to the GC FID for the
determination of the components exist in the respective part of the plant.
2. The chromatographs produced were analyzed and the KI value was calculated
based on the area % of the 25 major peaks in both of the chromatographs
respectively.
 RESULTS

A. Homalomena Aromatica Rhizomes

I. Peak of eluted n-alkanes

There was no detection on the unknown components eluting after C17H36 in Homalomena
Aromatica Rhizomes sample chromatogram. Therefore, the retention times from n-alkanes
standard, where n > 17, are not included in this table of eluted n-alkane peaks.

Retention
Retention
Time in Peak in n-alkane Peak in
Component Area Time in Area
n-alkane Standard Sample
Name (%) Sample (%)
Standard Chromatogram Chromatogram
(Min)
(Min)
1 C9H20 8.434 0.04 13 - - -
2 C10H22 12.147 0.04 14 12.349 0.00 37
3 C11H24 16.179 0.04 16 16.360 0.26 48
4 C12H26 20.195 0.03 18 20.057 0.02 56
5 C13H28 24.057 0.02 19 - - -
6 C14H30 27.722 0.02 20 27.332 0.00 61
7 C15H32 31.219 0.04 21 31.138 0.01 70
8 C16H34 34.492 0.02 22 34.638 0.00 76
9 C17H36 37.618 0.02 23 37.387 0.02 81

Table 1. Peak of eluted n-alkanes in standard and Homalomena aromatica Rhizome sample.

Note: - not eluted in sample chromatogram

II. 25 major components based on area %

There are 25 major components in real samples were selected based on area % in the

chromatogram in which unknowns are selected after the elution of the first n-alkane and

before the last n-alkane. The identities of n-alkanes already known are not included in the

following table.
 Unknown Retention Time Number of peak in Area
Area (%) Height
Component (Min) chromatogram [uV* sec] [uV]
1 0.12 19.529 54 74490.77 14094.93

2 0.07 36.312 79 42904.65 7963.44

3 0.03 32.836 74 18643.26 4322.68

4 0.03 35.910 78 18419.58 2410.88

5 0.03 14.476 44 17888.72 5556.78

6 0.03 31.818 72 15238.79 4283.30

7 0.02 13.105 39 13319.22 3627.86

8 0.02 19.731 55 10722.61 2860.96

9 0.01 13.351 41 8307.59 3207.27

10 0.01 12.784 38 7642.90 2658.94

11 0.01 13.305 40 6877.39 2521.93

12 0.01 35.517 77 4484.82 864.94

13 0.01 31.625 71 4349.64 1286.28

14 0.01 28.395 62 4226.19 1220.74

15 0.01 14.995 45 3999.79 966.19

16 0.01 15.575 46 3969.30 1278.86

17 0.01 14.006 43 3214.66 742.54

18 0.01 15.652 47 3151.28 723.49

19 0.01 33.749 75 3126.61 599.41

20 0.00 21.893 57 2284.14 436.81

21 0.00 29.645 64 2022.61 586.58

22 0.00 22.218 58 1934.62 576.87

23 0.00 18.444 52 370.91 100.10

24 0.00 30.802 68 357.14 120.82

25 0.00 30.455 67 296.62 105.42

Table 2. The 25 major components in Homalomena aromatica rhizome based on area %.
 UC 10 (Tr = 12.784)
UC 7 (Tr = 13.105)
UC 11 (Tr = 13.305)
UC 9 (Tr = 13.351)
UC 17 (Tr = 14.006)
Figure 7: GC-FID Chromatogram of Homalomena Aromatica Rhizomes (time: 10–39 min)

UC 5 (Tr = 14.476)
UC 15 (Tr = 14.995)
UC 16 (Tr = 15.575)
UC 18 (Tr = 15.652)

UC 23 (Tr = 18.444)
UC 1 (Tr = 19.529)
UC 8 (Tr = 19.731)

UC 20 (Tr = 21.893)
UC 22 (Tr = 22.218)

UC 14 (Tr = 28.395)

UC 21 (Tr = 29.645)
UC 25 (Tr = 30.455)
UC 24 (Tr = 30.802)
UC 13 (Tr = 31.625)
UC 6 (Tr = 31.818)

UC 3 (Tr = 32.836)
UC 19 (Tr = 33.749)

UC 12 (Tr = 35.517)
UC 4 (Tr = 35.910)
UC 2 (Tr = 36.312)
 III. Kovat’s Index of 25 major unknown components

The KI for the 25 major unknown components in Homalomena aromatica rhizome eluted after

the first n- alkane and before the last n-alkane were calculated using the formula

Where,

Tr = The retention time

n= Number of carbon atoms of the smaller n-alkane eluting before the peak of unknown
compound
N= Number of carbon atoms of the larger n-alkane eluting after the peak of unknown compound
(Bramston-cook, 2010.)

Unknown Area Tr (unknown) Tr (n) Tr (N)

n N KI
Component (%) (Min) (Min) (Min)
1 0.12 19.529 16.179 20.195 11 12 1183

2 0.07 36.312 34.492 37.618 16 17 1658

3 0.03 32.836 31.219 34.492 15 16 1549

4 0.03 35.910 34.492 37.618 16 17 1645

5 0.03 14.476 12.147 16.179 10 11 1058

6 0.03 31.818 31.219 34.492 15 16 1518

7 0.02 13.105 12.147 16.179 10 11 1024

8 0.02 19.731 16.179 20.195 11 12 1188

9 0.01 13.351 12.147 16.179 10 11 1030

10 0.01 12.784 12.147 16.179 10 11 1016

11 0.01 13.305 12.147 16.179 10 11 1029

12 0.01 35.517 34.492 37.618 16 17 1633

13 0.01 31.625 31.219 34.492 15 16 1512

14 0.01 28.395 27.722 31.219 14 15 1419

 15 0.01 14.995 12.147 16.179 10 11 1071

16 0.01 15.575 12.147 16.179 10 11 1085

17 0.01 14.006 12.147 16.179 10 11 1046

18 0.01 15.652 12.147 16.179 10 11 1087

19 0.01 33.749 31.219 34.492 15 16 1577

20 0.00 21.893 20.195 27.722 12 14 1245

21 0.00 29.645 27.722 31.219 14 15 1455

22 0.00 22.218 20.195 27.722 12 14 1254

23 0.00 18.444 16.179 20.195 11 12 1156

24 0.00 30.802 27.722 31.219 14 15 1488

25 0.00 30.455 27.722 31.219 14 15 1478

Table 3. Kovat’s Index for 25 major unknown components in Homalomena aromatica rhizome

Note: The highlighted tables signify that the different of number of carbon atoms of the n-alkane
eluting before and after the peak of unknown compound is 2 (N-n=2).

Example of calculation of KI for unknown compound 1:

Tr (unknown) = 19.529; Tr (n) = 16.179; Tr (N) =20.195; n= 11; N= 12
KI= [(Tr (unknown) - Tr (n)) / (Tr (N) - Tr (n))] × [100 × (N-n)] + (100 × n)
= [(19.529-16.179) / (20.195-16.179)] × [100 × (12-11)] + (100 × 11)
= 1183
B. Homalomena Aromatica stem
i.Peak of eluted n-alkanes

There was no detection on the unknown components eluting after C17H36 in Homalomena
Aromatica stem sample chromatogram. Therefore, the retention times from n-alkanes
standard, where n > 17, are not included in this table of eluted n-alkane peaks.

Retention
Retention
Time in n- Peak in n-alkane Peak in
Component Area Time in Area
alkane Standard Sample
Name (%) Sample (%)
Standard Chromatogram Chromatogram
(Min)
(Min)
1 C9H20 8.434 0.04 13 - - -
2 C10H22 12.147 0.04 14 12.308 0.00 28
3 C11H24 16.179 0.04 16 - - -
4 C12H26 20.195 0.03 18 20.059 0.00 37
5 C13H28 24.057 0.02 19 - - -
6 C14H30 27.722 0.02 20 27.822 0.05 41
7 C15H32 31.219 0.04 21 31.208 0.01 56
8 C16H34 34.492 0.02 22 34.342 0.00 66
9 C17H36 37.618 0.02 23 36.683 0.02 70
Table 4. Peak of eluted n-alkanes in standard and Homalomena aromatica stem sample.

Note: - not eluted in sample chromatogram

ii. 25 major components based on area %

There are 25 major components in real samples were selected based on area % in the

chromatogram in which unknowns are selected after the elution of the first n-alkane and

before the last n-alkane. The identities of n-alkanes already known are not included in the

following table.
 Unknown Retention Time Number of peak in Area
Area Height
Component (Min) chromatogram [uV* sec]
(%) [uV]
1 1.35 13.570 31 557943.91 61716.48

2 0.10 13.190 30 40691.58 5200.47

3 0.07 28.908 46 27760.16 7615.31

4 0.05 31.528 58 19460.95 4055.58

5 0.04 14.067 32 18353.40 6464.98

6 0.04 27.349 40 14590.73 3567.79

7 0.03 32.540 62 14150.65 4142.58

8 0.03 31.992 60 12599.85 3617.74

9 0.03 12.406 29 10882.82 3143.68

10 0.03 30.542 53 10438.66 3374.95

11 0.02 28.189 42 10192.73 3092.66

12 0.02 28.392 44 8700.67 2098.75

13 0.02 31.346 57 8129.49 2571.95

14 0.02 28.757 45 7680.01 2305.58

15 0.02 31.010 55 7325.41 1477.10

16 0.02 35.523 67 6559.79 1785.94

17 0.01 29.562 47 6060.54 1667.92

18 0.01 33.604 65 5868.97 1815.83

19 0.01 30.422 52 5757.35 1773.11

20 0.01 32.825 63 5717.46 1572.49

21 0.01 29.782 49 5335.27 1634.14

22 0.01 32.086 61 4030.98 1236.00

23 0.01 36.241 69 3485.72 792.57

24 0.01 28.276 43 2741.90 757.85

25 0.01 29.658 48 2449.62 727.28

Table 5. 25 major components in Homalomena aromatica stem based on area %.
 UC 9 (Tr = 12.406)
UC 2 (Tr = 13.190)
UC 1 (Tr = 13.570)
UC 5 (Tr = 14.067)
Figure 8: GC-FID Chromatogram of Homalomena Aromatica Stem (time: 10–39 min)

UC 6 (Tr = 27.349)
UC 11 (Tr = 28.189)
UC 24 (Tr = 28.276)
UC 12 (Tr = 28.392) UC 14 (Tr = 28.757)
UC 3 (Tr = 13.570)
UC 17 (Tr = 29.562)
UC 21 (Tr = 29.782)
UC 19 (Tr = 30.422) UC 19 (Tr = 30.422)
UC 15 (Tr = 31.010) UC 10 (Tr = 30.542)
UC 13 (Tr = 31.346) UC 4 (Tr = 31.528)
UC 8 (Tr = 31.992) UC 22 (Tr = 32.086)
UC 7 (Tr = 32.540)
UC 20 (Tr = 32.825)
UC 18 (Tr = 33.604)

UC 16 (Tr = 35.523)
UC 23 (Tr = 36.241)
iii. Kovat’s Index of 25 major unknown components

The KI for the 25 major unknown components in Homalomena aromatica rhizome eluted after

the first n- alkane and before the last n-alkane were calculated using the formula

Where,

Tr = The retention time

n= Number of carbon atoms of the smaller n-alkane eluting before the peak of unknown
compound
N= Number of carbon atoms of the larger n-alkane eluting after the peak of unknown compound
(Bramston-cook, 2010.)

Unknown Area Tr (unknown) Tr (n) Tr (N)

n N KI
Component (%) (Min) (Min) (Min)
1 1.35 13.570 12.147 20.195 10 12 1035
2 0.10 13.190 12.147 20.195 10 12 1026
3 0.07 28.908 27.722 31.219 14 15 1434
4 0.05 31.528 31.219 34.492 15 16 1509
5 0.04 14.067 12.147 20.195 10 12 1048
6 0.04 27.349 20.195 27.722 12 14 1390
7 0.03 32.540 31.219 34.492 15 16 1540
8 0.03 31.992 31.219 34.492 15 16 1524
9 0.03 12.406 12.147 20.195 10 12 1006
10 0.03 30.542 27.722 31.219 14 15 1481
11 0.02 28.189 27.722 31.219 14 15 1413
12 0.02 28.392 27.722 31.219 14 15 1419
13 0.02 31.346 31.219 34.492 15 16 1504
14 0.02 28.757 27.722 31.219 14 15 1430
 15 0.02 31.010 27.722 31.219 14 15 1494
16 0.02 35.523 34.492 37.618 16 17 1633
17 0.01 29.562 27.722 31.219 14 15 1453
18 0.01 33.604 31.219 34.492 15 16 1573
19 0.01 30.422 27.722 31.219 14 15 1477
20 0.01 32.825 31.219 34.492 15 16 1549
21 0.01 29.782 27.722 31.219 14 15 1459
22 0.01 32.086 31.219 34.492 15 16 1526
23 0.01 36.241 34.492 37.618 16 17 1656
24 0.01 28.276 27.722 31.219 14 15 1416
25 0.01 29.658 27.722 31.219 14 15 1455
Table 6. Kovat’s Index for 25 major unknown components in Homalomena aromatic stem

Note: The highlighted tables signify that the different of number of carbon atoms of the n-alkane
eluting before and after the peak of unknown compound is 2.

Example of calculation of KI for unknown compound 1:

Tr (unknown) = 13.570; Tr (n) = 12.147; Tr (N) =20.195; n= 10; N= 12

KI= [(Tr (unknown) - Tr (n)) / (Tr (N) - Tr (n))] × [100 × (N-n)] + (100 × n)
= [(13.570-12.147) / (20.195-12.147)] × [100 × (12-10)] + (100 × 10)
= 1035
DISCUSSION
The Kovat’s Index for the unknown components identified in the Homalomena
aromatica rhizome and stem were calculated by using the formula as shown below:

Then, the calculated KI value were tabulated according to the area % of the peak identified from
the gas chromatograph obtained.
The KI value of the unknown components identified calculated were compared with the
Pherobase Kovat’s Index database to identify the compounds with identical Kovat’s Index with
the unknown component. The compounds which were considered must use the same type of
column with what we had used to analyze the Homalomena aromatica rhizome and stem, which
is the DB-5 column. Then, the molecular weight of the n-alkane eluted before the unknown
component was calculated and compared with the molecular weight of the suspected compounds
obtained from Pherobase. The compound with the closest molecular weight with that of the n-
alkane eluted before will be identified as the most possible compound present in that particular
peak.
However, there are some Kovat’s Index calculated showed no data or record of
compound in the Pherobase. Hence, an adjustment of ±1 will be made and the compounds which
used the DB-5 column will be considered and the most possible compound will be selected from
the compounds listed. This approach was made due to there may be some differences in the
decimal during calculations. However, there are some KI values still showed no result even
though the ±1 adjustment was made. Hence, an adjustment of ±2 will be made. The adjustment
made will be stated under every table. The following table shows all the possible components
that might be present in the Homalomena aromatica rhizome and the most possible components
were chosen.
 Carbon Molecular Molecular
Unknown Molecular Most possible
KI no. of n- weight of n- Possible components weight of the
component formula component
alkane alkane component
1 1183 11 156 1-m-tolylethanone 134.18 C9H10O cis-pinocarveol
p-cymen-8-ol 150.22 C10H14O
cis-pinocarveol 152.23 C10H16O
2 1658 16 226 2,5- 149.23 C11H14O3 Dihydroeudesmol
dimethoxypropiophen
one
Dihydroeudesmol 224.38 C15H28O
2-senecioyl-4- 202.25 C13H14O2
vinylphenol
7-epi-alpha-eudesmol 222.37 C15H26O
3 1549 15 212 E-alpha-bisabolene 204.35 C15H24 E-alpha-bisabolene
6-methylcoumarin 160.17 C10H8O2
5 1058 10 142 1-Methyl-3- 134.22 C10H14 1-Methyl-3-
propylbenzene propylbenzene
Furaneol 128.13 C6H8O3
6 1518 15 212 Methyl-alpha-ionone 206.32 C14H22O Methyl-alpha-ionone
Cubebol 222.37 C15H26O
7 1024 10 142 2,2-dichloroisopropyl 171.06 C6H12Cl2O 2,2-
ether dichloroisopropyl
2-cyclohexene-1,4- 110.11 C6H6O2 ether
dione
8 1188 11 156 2-methyl- 134.18 C9H10O Decan-3-ol
acetophenone
Crypton 138.21 C9H14O
Butyl hexanoate 172.26 C10H20O2
Decan-3-ol 158.28 C10H22O
9 1030 10 142 Limonene 136.24 C10H16 Limonene
Beta-phellandrene 136.23 C10H16
10 1016 10 142 Isocineole 154.25 C10H18O Isocineole
4,5-Dimethyl-2- 124.18 C8H12O
cyclohexen-1-one
11 1029 10 142 Limonene 136.24 C10H16 Limonene
Beta-phellandrene 136.23 C10H16
 P-cymene 134.22 C10H14
Sylvestrene 136.23 C10H16
13 1512 15 212 Gamma-cadinene 204.35 C15H24 Gamma-cadinene
2,6-dibutyl-4me- 220.35 C15H24O
phenol
2-ethylphenol 122.16 C8H10O
Beta-dehydro-ar- 200.32 C15H20
himachalene
Tridecan-1-ol 200.36 C13H28O
15 1071 10 142 Cis-sabinene hydrate 154.25 C10H18O Cis-
1,4-diethylbenzene 134.22 C10H14 decahydronaphthale
Octan-1-ol 130.23 C8H18O ne
P-mentha-3,8-diene 136.23 C10H16
Dihydromyrcenol 156.27 C10H20O
2-acetylpyrrole 109.13 C6H7NO
P-cresol 108.14 C7H8O
Cis- 138.25 C10H18
decahydronaphthalene
16 1085 10 142 2,3,5,6- 136.19 C8H12N2 2,3,5,6-
Tetramethylpyrazine Tetramethylpyrazine
2-Methyl-1-decene 154.29 C11H22
Diallylsulfane 114.21 C6H10S
19 1577 15 212 2,3-bipyridyl 156.18 C10H8N2 Hexyl benzoate
Spathulenol 220.35 C15H24O
Globulol 222.37 C15H26O
Hexyl benzoate 206.28 C13H18O2
Eudalene 184.28 C14H16
9-fluorene 166.22 C13H10
20 1245 12 170 Carvacrol methylether 164.24 C11H16O 3-Methylnonane-
Cis-verbenol 152.23 C10H16O 2,4-dione
Ethyl phenylacetate 164.20 C10H12O2
3-Methylnonane-2,4- 170.25 C10H18O2
dione
Carvotanacetone 152.23 C10H16O
21 1455 14 198 Fuscumol 196.33 C13H24O Fuscumol
Alpha-caryophyllene 204.35 C15H24
 Neryl propionate 210.31 C13H22O2
Myosmine 146.19 C9H10N2
5-Methyltetradecane 212.41 C15H32
Neoclovene 204.35 C15H24
Alpha-patchoulene 204.35 C15H24
22 1254 12 170 5-Methyldodecane 184.36 C13H28 Cis-piperitone oxide
Cis-piperitone oxide 168.23 C10H16O2
Isopentyl hexanoate 186.29 C11H22O2
23 1156 11 156 2-Methyl-1- 150.22 C10H14O Isoborneol
phenylpropan-2-ol
Sabina ketone 138.21 C9H14O
Isoborneol 154.25 C10H18O
Undecanal 170.29 C11H22O
24 1488 14 198 Cis-6,11- 204.35 C15H24 S,E-lyratyl acetate
eudesmadiene
S,E-lyratyl acetate 194.27 C12H18O2
Cyclopentadecane 210.4 C15H30
25 1478 14 198 (E)-10-Dodecen-1-ol 184.32 C12H24O (E)-10-Dodecen-1-ol
1,2-Diallyldisulfane 146.27 C6H10S2
Table 7. Possible Component(s) of the 25 major components in Homalomena aromatica
rhizomes by comparing calculated KI values with Pherobase Kovat’s Index database.
 Carbon no.
Retention time of
Unknown Area of the
the unknown KI Compound Name Molecular formula
component (%) unknown
component
component
1 11 1183 Cis-pinocarveol 152.23
0.12 19.529
2 16 1658 Dihydroeudesmol 224.38
0.07 36.312
3 15 1549 E-alpha-bisabolene 204.35
0.03 32.836
4 16 1645 Torreyol 222.37
0.03 35.910
5 10 1058 1-Methyl-3-propylbenzene 134.22
0.03 14.476
6 15 1518 Methyl-alpha-ionone 206.32
0.03 31.818
7 10 1024 2,2-dichloroisopropyl ether 171.06
0.02 13.105
8 11 1188 Decan-3-ol 158.28
0.02 19.731
9 10 1030 Limonene 136.24
0.01 13.351
10 10 1016 Isocineole 154.25
0.01 12.784
11 10 1029 Limonene 136.24
0.01 13.305
12 16 1633 Cis-nerolidyl acetate 264.40
0.01 35.517
13 15 1512 Gamma-cadinene 204.35
0.01 31.625
14 14 1419 Cuminyl acetate 192.25
0.01 28.395
15 10 1071 Cis-decahydronaphthalene 138.25
0.01 14.995
16 10 1085 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine 136.19
0.01 15.575
17 10 1046 Dihydrotagetone 154.25
0.01 14.006
18 10 1087 1-Ethyl-2,4- 134.22
0.01 15.652
dimethylbenzene
19 15 1577 Hexyl benzoate 206.28
0.01 33.749
20 12 1245 3-Methylnonane-2,4-dione 170.25
0.00 21.893
21 14 1455 Fuscumol 196.33
0.00 29.645
22 12 1254 Cis-piperitone oxide 168.23
0.00 22.218
23 11 1156 Isoborneol 154.25
0.00 18.444
24 14 1488 S,E-lyratyl acetate 194.27
0.00 30.802
25 14 1478 (E)-10-Dodecen-1-ol 184.32
0.00 30.455
Table 8. Components deducted to be present in Homalomena aromatica rhizomes matched with
calculated KI.
 The highlighted Peak 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, 20 and 21 shows no compounds on exact KI
value. Thus, the KI value will be ± 1 compare with the Pherobase Kovat’s Index database.
While for Peak 11, it shows no compounds on exact KI value and KI ± 1. Thus, the KI value will
be ± 2 compare with the Pherobase Kovat’s Index database to determine the component name.
The following table shows all the possible components that might be present in the Homalomena
aromatica stem and the most possible components were chosen.

Unknown KI Carbon Molecular Possible components Molecular Molecular Most possible

component no. of weight of n- weight of formula component
n- alkane the
alkane component
1 1035 10 142 (E)-3-Octen-2-one 126.2 C8H14O Propyl tiglate
5-formylfurtural 124.09 C6H4O3
2-ethylthiazolidine 117.21 C5H11NS
2-isobutylthiazole 141.23 C7H11NS
propyl tiglate 142.2 C8H14O2
3 1434 14 198 neryl acetone 194.31 C13H22O Neryl acetone

alpha-trans- 204.35 C15H24

bergamotene

4 1509 15 212 5R7R10S-selina- 204.35 C15H24 5R7R10S-selina-

4,11-diene 4,11-diene
Beta-bisabolene 204.35 C15H24
5 1048 10 142 indane 118.18 C9H10 Dipropylnitrosam
Dipropylnitrosamine 130.19 C6H14N2O ine
3methyl-delta1-10Hy 154.29 C11H22
6 1390 12 170 Beta-cubebene 204.35 C15H24 Ethyl
Ethyl 178.23 C11H14O2 dihydrocinnamate
dihydrocinnamate
7 1540 15 212 Elemicin 208.25 C12H16O3 Elemicin
8,14-cedranoxide 220.35 C15H24O
8 1524 15 212 Delta-cadinene 204.35 C15H24 Eugenyl acetate
1,3,7-trimethyl- 170.25 C13H14
naphthalene
 Eugenyl acetate 206.35 C12H14O3
9 1006 10 142 3-methyl-delta4-5Ac 142.2 C8H14O2 3-methyl-delta4-
Methyl heptanoate 144.21 C8H16O2 5Ac
10 1481 14 198 Ar-curcumene 202.34 C15H22 Tridecan-2-one
Tridecan-2-one 198.35 C13H26O
11 1413 14 198 Isocaryophyllene 204.35 C15H24 Isocaryophyllene
Dodecanal 184.32 C12H24O
13 1504 15 212 Alpha-alaskene 204.25 C15H24 Z-alpha-
Z-alpha-bisabolene 204.35 C15H24 bisabolene
2,6-dibutyl-4- 220.35 C15H24O
methylphenol
2,6-dimethylphenol 122.16 C8H10O
4-methyl-9-fluorene 180.25 C14H12
Beta- 222.37 C15H26O
dihydroagarofuran
15 1494 14 198 Beta-ionone 192.3 C13H20O Beta-ionone
Viridiflorene 204.35 C15H24
Alpha-selinene 204.35 C15H24
Bicyclogermacrene 204.35 C15H24
Ethyl undecanoate 214.34 C13H26O3
18 1573 15 212 Fuscumol acetate 238.37 C12H26O2 1,4-
1,4- 214.44 C6H14S4 dipropyltetrasulfa
dipropyltetrasulfane ne
2,6-dimethyl-3- 180.2 C10H12O3
methoxymethyl-
benzoquinone
Caryophyllene oxide 220.35 C15H24O
19 1477 14 198 Gamma-muurolene 204.35 C15H24 Gamma-
Allyl decanoate 212.33 C13H24O2 muurolene
20 1549 15 212 E-alpha-bisabolene 204.35 C15H24 E-alpha-
6-methylcoumarin 160.17 C10H8O2 bisabolene
21 1459 14 198 (Z)-dodecen-1-ol 184.32 C12H24O Cyclamen
Cyclamen aldehyde 190.28 C13H18O aldehyde
22 1526 15 212 4-hydroxy-3- 181.17 C9H9O4 1,6,8-cadinatriene
methoxymethyl-
benzoate
 1,6,8-cadinatriene 202.34 C15H22
23 1656 16 226 Angelic acid 100.12 C5H8O2 Decylcyclohexan
Z6-dodecane-4-olide 196.29 C12H20O2 e
1,3,6,7- 184.28 C14H16
tetramethylnaphthale
ne
Syringaldehyde 182.17 C9H10O4
p-isopropylphenol 136.19 C9H12O
Decylcyclohexane 224.43 C16H32
25 1455 14 198 Fuscumol 196.33 C13H24O Fuscumol
Alpha-caryophyllene 204.35 C15H24
Neryl propionate 210.31 C13H22O2
Myosmine 146.19 C9H10N2
5-methyltetradecane 212.41 C15H32

Table 9: Possible Component(s) of the 25 major components in Homalomena aromatica stems by

comparing calculated KI values with Pherobase Kovat’s Index database.

Unknown Area Retention Carbon no. KI Compound Name Molecular

component time of the of the formula
unknown unknown
component component
1 1.35 13.570 10 1035 Propyl tiglate C8H14O2
2 0.10 13.190 10 1026 p-cymene C10H14
3 0.07 28.908 14 1434 Neryl acetone C13H22O
4 0.05 31.528 15 1509 5R7R10S-selina- C15H24
4,11-diene
5 0.04 14.067 10 1048 Dipropylnitrosamine C6H14N2O
6 0.04 27.349 12 1390 Ethyl C11H14O2
dihydrocinnamate
7 0.03 32.540 15 1540 Elemicin C12H16O3
8 0.03 31.992 15 1524 Eugenyl acetate C12H14O3
9 0.03 12.406 10 1006 3-methyl-delta4- C8H14O2
5Ac
10 0.03 30.542 14 1481 Tridecan-2-one C13H26O
11 0.02 28.189 14 1413 Isocaryophyllene C15H24
12 0.02 28.392 14 1419 Cuminyl acetate C12H16O2
13 0.02 31.346 15 1504 Z-alpha-bisabolene C15H24
14 0.02 28.757 14 1430 Gamma-elemene C15H24
15 0.02 31.010 14 1494 Beta-ionone C13H20O
16 0.02 35.523 16 1633 Cis-nerolydol C15H26O
acetate
17 0.01 29.562 14 1453 Geranyl acetone C13H22O
18 0.01 33.604 15 1573 1,4- C6H14S4
dipropyltetrasulfane
19 0.01 30.422 14 1477 Gamma-muurolene C15H24
20 0.01 32.825 15 1549 E-alpha-bisabolene C15H24
21 0.01 29.782 14 1459 Cyclamen aldehyde C13H18O
22 0.01 32.086 15 1526 1,6,8-cadinatriene C15H22
23 0.01 36.241 16 1656 Decylcyclohexane C16H32
24 0.01 28.276 14 1416 longifolene C15H24
25 0.01 29.658 14 1455 Fuscumol C15H24O

Table 10: Components deducted to be present in Homalomena aromatica stems matched with
calculated KI.

Those highlighted values showed no component on that particular KI value. As a result,

those highlighted with blue colour indicates that an adjustment of ±1 was made whereas those
highlighted with purple colour indicates that an adjustment of ±2 was made.

CONCLUSION
The Kovat’s Index for 25 major components in the Homalomena aromatica rhizome and
Homalomena aromatica stem respectively were successfully calculated based on their area %.
Besides, 25 major components in the Homalomena aromatica rhizome and Homalomena
aromatica stem respectively were successfully identified by comparing the calculated Kovat’s
Index with Pherobase.
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