GC-MS profiling and validated RP-HPLC quantification of linalool in Homalomena aromatica Schott. essential oil with greenness and operational efficiency assessment

Homalomena aromatica Schott constitutes a tropical, aromatic, perennial herbaceous plant that is found in Assam and nearby sub-Himalayan regions of India. This investigation aimed to determine the phytoconstituents present in an essential oil isolated from HA using GC-MS and to establish and validate a reproducible RP-HPLC method for quantitative estimation of linalool in HAEO following the assessment of greenness and operational efficiency. GC-MS analysis of HAEO was carried out for phytochemical profiling and identification of major compounds. Subsequently, linalool quantification was established by a newly developed RP-HPLC method for selective chromatographic separation and detection. Further, a multi-tool approach was employed to assess the environmental sustainability, practicality, and efficiency of the developed RP-HPLC method. GC-MS profiling demonstrated linalool as the major constituent with an abundance of 64.34%. RP-HPLC analysis quantified linalool at 59.74% w/w. The methodology underwent validation for system suitability (with a retention time of 10.26 min and a tailing factor of (0.98-1.04), linearity (R2 = 0.9994), recovery (96.15 to 104.56%), and precision (intraday 1.27-1.76%; and inter-day 0.22-1.30%) with LOD and LOQ of 4.13 μg/ mL and 12.51 μg/mL. Greenness and operational efficiency scores-AGREE=0.65, ComplexmoGAPI=66, Analytical Eco-Scale=87, and CACI=68. The validated RP-HPLC method demonstrated satisfactory analytical performance, greenness, and operational efficiency, facilitating an analytical approach for routine quantification, standardization, and quality control of HAEO.