Hydrocarbon dosage

Hydrocarbon analysis is a critical component of many industries, including materials, polymers, packaging, solvents, and mineral oils. This analysis quantifies aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons (C10-C40) to assess product purity, detect contamination, and verify regulatory compliance.

Hydrocarbons, due to their widespread industrial use and potential impact on health and the environment, are subject to rigorous monitoring. Their dosage is therefore essential for manufacturers, distributors, and quality control laboratories.

Understanding hydrocarbons and their importance

Hydrocarbons are a large family of molecules made up solely of carbon and hydrogen. The main types are:

• Aliphatic hydrocarbons : linear, branched or cyclic, often used as solvents or lubricants.
• Aromatic hydrocarbons : aromatic structures such as benzene, toluene or xylenes, widely regulated due to their toxicity.

As part of quality control, the C10-C40 fractions are particularly monitored, because they concern saturated (MOSH) and aromatic (MOAH) hydrocarbons, present in particular in mineral oils and which can migrate from packaging to foodstuffs.

Analytical methods for the determination of hydrocarbons

The determination of hydrocarbons is based on robust and sensitive chromatographic methods:

• GC-FID (gas chromatography with flame ionization detection) : used for the global quantification of hydrocarbons, offering excellent reproducibility.
• GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) : allows specific identification of compounds and reliable detection at low concentrations.

These techniques ensure precise separation of compounds and quantification adapted to regulatory and industrial requirements. They are integrated into quality control, conformity assessment and material safety verification protocols.

Sectors concerned by hydrocarbon dosage

Hydrocarbon analysis is relevant in several areas:

• Food packaging : detection of aromatic and saturated hydrocarbons likely to migrate into foodstuffs.
• Materials and polymers : control of additives and manufacturing residues that may contain hydrocarbons.
• Oils and solvents : purity assessment, identification of contaminants or validation of refining processes.
• Industrial and cosmetic products : verification of raw materials and quality control of formulations.
• Environment : monitoring of soil, water or air pollution by hydrocarbons.

Typically analyzed matrices

Hydrocarbon determination can be applied to a wide variety of matrices, such as:

• Mineral oils and lubricants
• Solvents and industrial chemicals
• Plastic and polymer materials
• Food packaging
• Extracts from finished products or raw materials

Quality, safety and regulatory issues

The presence of hydrocarbons in products intended for food or cosmetic use raises major issues:

• Food safety : preventing the migration of MOSH and MOAH into food.
• Regulatory compliance : meet European and international requirements regarding aromatic and saturated hydrocarbons.
• Quality control : guarantee the purity and consistency of production batches.
• Environmental protection : assess the presence of hydrocarbons in environmental matrices to limit ecological impacts.

YesWeLab support for your hydrocarbon analyses

YesWeLab provides its network of partner laboratories specializing in physicochemical and chromatographic analyses. Our partners, certified and accredited (ISO 17025, COFRAC), use validated and internationally recognized methods.

Thanks to our digital platform, you benefit from a complete and simplified service:

• Quickly submit your samples online
• Real-time monitoring of your analyses
• Reliable, secure results that comply with current regulations

Since 2020, many manufacturers, distributors and design offices have entrusted us with their analyses to secure their products and optimize their marketing.

Related analyses

• Determination of MOSH and MOAH hydrocarbons
• Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Dosage of residual solvents
• Phthalate dosage
• Styrene dosage
• Migration control in food packaging