GC-MS analysis of the chemical composition and alcohol content in Rose Water samples of the Isfahan market

 Rosa damascena Mill. is an important aromatic plant for the commercial production of rose oil and rose water. Its hydrosol is known in Iran as Golab (rose water) and has applications in religious ceremonies, foods, and pharmaceuticals. The increase in market demand has led to the production of inferior products. The aim of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of 22 rose water samples -were purchased from the Isfahan market in October 2022- in aqueous phase and its organic extract and also methanol and ethanol content of these rose water samples by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results were used to evaluate the quality of rose water samples and detection of artificial essence use.Methanol and ethanol levels in the tested samples were 5-120 and 20-835 mg/kg. Some samples unusually had no ethanol and methanol. Major constituents of the extracted essence were phenyl ethyl alcohol, β-linalool, eugenol, eugenol methyl ether, geraniol, α-terpineol, citronellol, eugenol methyl ether, terpin hydrate, isopulegol, benzyl alcohol and nerol.These findings show that in order to determine whether rose water samples are real or fake, it is necessary to examine the samples in terms of chemical composition both in the aqueous phase of rose water and in the extracted essential oil as well as in the amount of ethanol and methanol.