title: Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry fingerprinting of perfumes: Rapid classification and counterfeit detection.
abstract: A fast procedure to classify perfumes and identify counterfeit samples is described. Dilution of a few microL of the sample in a 1:1 methanol/water solution is followed by detection of its major polar components via direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in the positive ion mode. As proof-of-principle cases, three famous brands of perfumes were used. The ESI+-MS fingerprints of authentic samples were very characteristic, showing distinctive sets of polar markers for each sample. Principal component analysis (PCA) placed samples of the three perfume brands in well-defined groups. Counterfeit samples were also clearly detected owing to contrasting ESI-MS fingerprints, with PCA placing these samples far away from the authentic samples.
authors.affiliation: ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lygia de Azevedo
authors.initials: Lde A
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Rodrigo Ramos
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Catharino
authors.forename: Roy E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Bruns
authors.forename: Marcos N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Eberlin