Application of GC-MS and FTIR in Identification of Amber and Copal Resin

In recent years, distinguish of amber and copal resin and origin identification of amber are hot topics in academic research. Identification is always with the help of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy and other means. Although there are some differences in IR and Raman spectra, there are still some similarities. The results do not completely distinguish amber and the copal resins. In the paper, the organic compounds in amber and copal resin were tested by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS), based on the literatures of both home and abroad. GC-MS showed that the diterpenoids of amber and copal resin are similar, but because of the low maturity of copal resin and the high content of diterpene monomer, there are some components of the difference. Amber non-polar organic compounds are mostly pimaric acid, isopimaric acid and abietic acid. The combination of TIC spectrum and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy can be used as the basis for the determination of amber and copal resin.