Native to the Indian subcontinent, Palmarosa is a wild herbaceous plant with long, slender stems, fragrant grassy leaves and flowers in terminal clusters. Palmarosa is a member of the Cymbopogon genus of aromatic tropical grasses. It is harvested before the flowers appear and the highest yield is obtained when the grass is fully dried, about one week after it has been cut. Palmarosa oil is pale yellow in colour and has a sweet, floral scent with hints of geranium and rose. It is often used as an ingredient in soaps, perfumes, cosmetics, and is also used in the flavouring of tobacco.
TEST
SPECIFICATION
SPECIFIC GRAVITY at 25ºC
0.8805 - 0.9007
REFRACTIVE INDEX at 25ºC
1.4750 - 1.4798
OPTICAL ROTATION at 25ºC
[-] 0.5º - [+] 0.75º
SOLUBILITY
Soluble in 1.2 - 3.5 volumes of 70% alcohol
COLOR AND APPEARANCE
Yellowish, clear liquid
OLFACTORY
Sweet, rose-like
GERENIOL CONTENT
80%
GERANYL ACETATE
7% - 8%
A perennial herb, Cardamom is cultivated in India and Sri Lanka. It grows up to 4 meters high; has long, green silky blades and small flowers. The pods each contain many seeds from which the oil is extracted. Cardamom is a member of the Zingiberaceae family. Cardamom oil is clear to pale yellow in colour, and characterized by its sweet, spicy and almost balsamic fragrance. Its aroma is wonderfully rich and complex, finding uses in both perfumery and flavouring.
TEST
SPECIFICATION
SPECIFIC GRAVITY at 25ºC
0.917
REFRACTIVE INDEX at 25ºC
1.462
OPTICAL ROTATION at 25ºC
[+] 25º
SOLUBILITY IN 70% (V/V)
ETHANOL CONTENT at 25ºC
1 volume of Cardamom oil shall not require
more than 6 volumes of 70% ethanol to give hazy solution
COLOR AND APPEARANCE
Clear, colorless, or very pale yellow liquid
OLFACTORY
Characteristic odour of Cardamom
PREPARATION
Obtained by steam distillation of dried and crushed
cardamom fruit. No chemical process involved.
Lemongrass is a perennial, fast-growing aromatic grass, growing to about 1 meter high with long, thin leaves. The oil is extracted from its leaves through distillation. Lemongrass oil has a lemony, sweet smell and is dark yellow to amber or reddish in colour. It is a valuable ingredient in perfumes and citrus-type soaps.
TEST
SPECIFICATION
SPECIFIC GRAVITY at 25ºC
0.8725 - 0.8965
REFRACTIVE INDEX at 25ºC
1.4850 - 1.4936
OPTICAL ROTATION at 25ºC
[-] 1.25º to [-] 5º
SOLUBILITY
Soluble in 1.5 - 3 volumes of 70% alcohol
COLOR AND APPEARANCE
Deep yellow to Orange-brown
OLFACTORY
Fresh, lemonish
CITRAL CONTENT
75% - 85%
India is the sole source of Davana, which grows knee high in length with distinct velvety-green stems and leaves. The crop reaches maturity and harvested at flowering, being that the flowers are rich in essential oils. Davana oil has floral, dark undertones, many characteristics are associated with Davana oil, a few being: congnac-like, fruity, thick honey herbaceous, woody. This unique reddish-brown essential oil possesses a potent, luxurious scent and is sought after for its beautifully deep qualities in fragrances as well as flavouring.
TEST
SPECIFICATION
SPECIFIC GRAVITY at 25ºC
0.9394 - 0.9560
REFRACTIVE INDEX at 25ºC
1.4794 - 1.4917
OPTICAL ROTATION at 25ºC
[+] 40º to [+] 60º
SOLUBILITY
Clearly soluble in less than 1.5 volumes of 80% ethyl alcohol
COLOR AND APPEARANCE
Clear, redish-yellow liquid
OLFACTORY
Rich, lingering, fruity odour
DAVANONE CONTENT
42% - 60%
Basil grows as a large, herbaceous, erect, strongly aromatic, annual herb, about 30 - 90cm in height. The flowers are 0.7 - 1.25 cm long, borne in long terminal racemose inflorescences. Both the flowers and the whole plant contain essential oil which is extracted through the process of distillation. Basil oil has a strong, sweet smell. It finds many uses in cosmetics and aromatherapy, among others.
TEST
SPECIFICATION
SPECIFIC GRAVITY at 25ºC
0.945 - 0.9700
REFRACTIVE INDEX at 25ºC
1.52
SOLUBILITY
Soluble in 1 part alcohol
COLOR AND APPEARANCE
Clear, pale yellow liquid
OLFACTORY
Strong, sweet smell and anise-like
METHYL CHEVICOL
70% - 72%
LINALOOL
22%