The invention relates to a method for checking the retention of an organic compound (i) or a plurality of organic compounds (i) within a liquid or solid phase, characterized in that it comprises a step in which the oxidoreduction potential of said solid or liquid phase is modified by contacting said solid or liquid phase with an oxidizing agent, a reducing agent or a neutral agent, the oxidoreduction potential value of said solid or liquid phase determining the retention degree of the organic compound (i) or each of the organic compounds (i) within said liquid or solid phase.