Volatile/ Essential Oils Flashcards
What are volatile oils
are odoriferous substances (usually liquid).
•are of plants and sometimes animal origin (civet and musk deer oil)
•vaporize when exposed at ordinary temperature.
Are also referred to as ethereal or essential oil.
What are the characteristics of volatile oils
They are liquids
•made of complex mixtures of odoriferous principles/compounds
•They are volatile at ordinary temperature and easily evaporate when exposed to air.
•they give a temporary translucent strain when smeared on paper
- Are of vegetables or plants origin
- Frequently associated with other substances such as gums and resins
- They tend to resinify on exposure to high temperature, light and oxygen
- They differ entirely in both chemical and physical properties from fixed oils.
What are the three classes of volatile oils based on origin
- Natural oils: are obtained from plant and are not modified physically or chemically afterwards.
- Artificial oils: are obtained using processes of enriching the essence with one or several of its components.
- Synthetic oils: are usually produced through synthesis of the components. Eg vanilla, lemon and strawberry essences used as fragrance and taste enhancers
All official volatile oils are of vegetable origin.
True/false
True
What part in a plant is volatile oils stored
-Oil cell
–Glandular trichomes
–Secretory cavities
–Secretory canals
What part in animals is volatile oils stored
For animals in odorous sacs
How are mustard and almond volatile oils produced
the enzymatic hydrolysis of their glycosides
Eg. Almond: Amygdalin (cyanogenetic glycoside)
emulsin (enzyme)
glucose + benzaldehyde + HCN
Uses of volatile oils
As Flavoring agents (e.g. oil of lemon)
Industrial deodorants
As carminatives
–e.g. peppermint oil
as starting materials for the synthesis of other compounds (e.g. oil of turpentine).
As counterirritants
•As antioxidants
•In aromatherapy
Insecticides- Limonine and menthol
Medicinal uses of volatile oils
Anti-septic and preservative
➢High phenol content
•as gargles and mouthwashes
eg thymol oil
•Anti-spasmodic
–Eg. Ginger, Lemon balm, Rosemary, Peppermint, Caraway oils
•Anti-bronchitis and Mucolytic.
–Administered as inhalants (e.g. eucalyptus oil)
•As anthelminthic or worm-expellers/killers.
What does the chemical composition of VO depend on
origin, climatic conditions, and plant species.
What are the constituents of the individual VO it may have
may be
•of terpene (made of isoprene units) or aromatic origin
•cyclic or aliphatic in structure
•Hydrocarbon (isoprenes), oxygenated hydrocarbon or in few cases heterocycle.
The odour and taste is mainly determined by … ?
The Oxygenated constituents
The absence of even one component may change the aroma of VO
TRUE/FALSE
True
Every member of the mixture is essential to the odor and flavor.
Are the oxygenated constituents soluble in water and alcohol and which solvent is it more soluble in?
The oxygenated constituents are to some extent soluble in water but more soluble in alcohol.
What are the two biochemical pathways involving different enzymatic reactions of the biosynthesis of VO
Terpene derivatives (terpenoids) formed via the acetate-mevalonic acid pathway and derived from isoprene units (C5) bonded in a chain. •Aromatic compounds formed via the shikimic acid-phenylpropanoid route