Ambergris Test
Traditional Method : Observation
William A. Poucher : “hot needle should enter the mass easily without sticking, a characteristic odour given off, and an amber-coloured molten drop appear” (Poucher, 1959, p. 27)
Chinese: test its purity by scraping it upon boiling tea, it should dissolve.’(Parry, 1925)
Scientific Method : CRaFS UMT Laboratory Testing
Laboratory testing is the most accurate testing to identify authentic ambergris. The common methods of laboratory ambergris testing using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (FTIR, GC-MS and NMR) techniques. Identification of ambergris mainly based on existence of major constituent of genuine ambergris which is Ambrein , C30H52O, Epi-coprostanol, C27H48O, Coprostanone , C27H46O.
