ABSTRACT
This book chapter focuses on the use of retention data provided by a chromatographic system as complementary information for the identification of complex matrices such as essential oils.
The calculation of the linear retention index values, according to a uniform scale determined by a series of closely related standard substances, are discussed in detail for isothermal analysis and for programmed gas chromatographic runs.
A specific paragraph is dedicated to the utilization of the most widely used databases and software, and an overview on the use of LRI in GC-FID, GC-MS and in multidimensional gas chromatographic analysis, is also included.
