Chakira's stay follows a first mission carried out at the end of 2017 as part of the Qualinnov 1 project, whose objective was to carry out a feasibility study for the rapid detection of Ylang Ylang EO fraud through Near Infrared Spectrometry.

In continuity with the research initiated in 2017, Chakira will carry out the following activities as part of his stay in Reunion:

• Enrichment and management of the collection of Ylang Ylang oils samples and/or adulterants (vegetal oils, mineral oils, others)
• Analysis of the organoleptic, physicochemical and spectral properties of all samples of pure essential oils
• Chemical characterization of Ylang-Ylang Essential Oils from the Comores (AFNOR Standards) by Gas Chromatography Coupled to a Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) of all pure samples.
• Near Infrared Spectrometry (NIRS) analysis of all adulterated samples
• Establishment of a method of rapid and non-destructive detection of the various frauds known in the Comoros by equations of prediction of fractions (qualities) and geographical origins (terroir).

This scientific stay is part of Chakira's doctoral thesis. It is funded by a thesis grant from the French government through the SCAC (Cooperation and Cultural Action Service) of the French Embassy to the Union of the Comoros.

The results of Chakira's work will be valued in the Interreg-V Qualinnov 2 project within Action 1 "Characterization, authentication and improvment of agro-food products and processes".