Basil (Estragole chemotype) EO
Naturelle
Herbal > Anisic > Agrestic > Rosy
%20EO.jpg "Basil (Estragole chemotype) EO (CAS N° 8015-73-4)")
Crédits photo: ScenTree SAS
Latin name :
Ocimum basilicum var. basilicum
Botanical profile :
Basil is part of the Lamiaceae family (such as mint, thyme, sage, lavender, melissa, patchouli, rosemary and others), and the genus Ocimum.
Geographic origin :
Originating from India, basil first spread throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the globe (mainly Central Africa and South-East Asia) before conquering the temperate zones. Today it is possible to find some everywhere in Asia, around the Mediterranean as well as in some states of the USA. Cultivation for perfumes are mainly located in Egypt and in Vietnam.
Chemotypes :
Around 160 species of basil are reported (Ocimum). These can be classified in four major groups :
Eugenol and Thymol chemotypes : Ocimum Gratissimum L. (from Sri-Lanka) or Ocimum tenuifolium (from India - Eugenol ≤ 60% ou Estragole ≤ 85% depending on varieties) ou Ocimum Viride (Thymol ≈70%). The second one is very rich in Estragole and can be used to extract natural Estragole.
Estragole chemotypes : Ocimum basilicum var. basilicum so-called ''common basil '' . This variety is the most used in perfumery and is made in majority of Estragole.
Ocimum basilicum var. letuce leaf, rich in Linalool
Ocimum basilicum var. ''grand vert '' - Basilic (Linalool Chemotype) EO - also rich in Estragole and Linalool.
Citral chemotypes : Ocimum americanum (Mediterranean), so-called ''Lemon Basil ''. Is also rich in Linalool and Estragole (more floral smell but inferior yield)
Camphor chemotypes : Ocimum kilimandscharicum, also cultivated as a substitute for camphor tree.
Other species : Ocimum canum containing a lot of Methyl Cinnamate.
Eugenol and Thymol chemotypes : Ocimum Gratissimum L. (from Sri-Lanka) or Ocimum tenuifolium (from India - Eugenol ≤ 60% ou Estragole ≤ 85% depending on varieties) ou Ocimum Viride (Thymol ≈70%). The second one is very rich in Estragole and can be used to extract natural Estragole.
Estragole chemotypes : Ocimum basilicum var. basilicum so-called ''common basil '' . This variety is the most used in perfumery and is made in majority of Estragole.
Ocimum basilicum var. letuce leaf, rich in Linalool
Ocimum basilicum var. ''grand vert '' - Basilic (Linalool Chemotype) EO - also rich in Estragole and Linalool.
Citral chemotypes : Ocimum americanum (Mediterranean), so-called ''Lemon Basil ''. Is also rich in Linalool and Estragole (more floral smell but inferior yield)
Camphor chemotypes : Ocimum kilimandscharicum, also cultivated as a substitute for camphor tree.
Other species : Ocimum canum containing a lot of Methyl Cinnamate.
Extraction process :
The basil harvest takes place from July to December. During this process, the aerial flowery part of the plant is harvested by hand, the top of the plant are dried before the steam distillation. The essential oil can be obtained through the flowers and the whole plant. Generally the treatment is done on the flowers during the first three to four years (yield ≈0.4%), then on the whole plant (yield ≈0.1%). The first distillation fraction takes about 4 hours to be collected.
Supercritical CO2 extractions also exist for this plant, as well as ''terpene-free '' extracts.
Given the large amount of terpenes in the plant, it is strongly advised to extract it as soon as possible. Too much time between harvesting and distillation would dry the plant and the resultant EO would be less representative, accompanied by a raise of the Linalool and Eugenol rates in the EO. Usually, harvesting is made during sunny days, with no rain the day before. It is made in the morning, to avoid drying of the plant.
Supercritical CO2 extractions also exist for this plant, as well as ''terpene-free '' extracts.
Given the large amount of terpenes in the plant, it is strongly advised to extract it as soon as possible. Too much time between harvesting and distillation would dry the plant and the resultant EO would be less representative, accompanied by a raise of the Linalool and Eugenol rates in the EO. Usually, harvesting is made during sunny days, with no rain the day before. It is made in the morning, to avoid drying of the plant.
Major Components :
Estragole (≈80%)
Eugenol (≈0,5%)
L-Carvone (≈0,5%)
Methyl Eugenol (≈0,5%)
Eugenol (≈0,5%)
L-Carvone (≈0,5%)
Methyl Eugenol (≈0,5%)
- Uses in perfumery :
- Used in masculine notes, fougere, chypre-fruity, in small quantities.
- Other comments :
- Adulterations exist, especially with Copaene, Caryophyllenes, Germacrene-D.
Usually, Egypt-originated Linalool chemotype of basil is used in perfumery, and over all 50% Linalool qualities (high price) or the one with 42 to 48% Linalool (affordable price). - Volatility :
- Head/Heart
- Appearance :
- Pale yellow liquid
- Stability :
- The terpenes identified in this raw material can polymerize when they are oxidized
Aromatic compounds can be chromophoric and cause a coloration of the oil, especially in alkaline bases - Price Range :
- €€€
- Aromatherapy :
Informations provided below are taken from reference works in aromatherapy. They are given for information purposes only and can not constitute medical information, nor engage the responsibility of ScenTree.
Basil is known for its positivity, antispasmodic, neuroregulatory, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-infectious, antiviral and antibacterial virtues. It is recommended for aerophagia, motion sickness, gastroenteric spasm, spasmophilia, anxiety, asthenia (cerebral fatigue) and arthritis.
%20EO.png "Basil (Estragole chemotype) EO (CAS N° 8015-73-4)")
Crédits photo: ScenTree SAS
- EINECS number :
- 84775-71-3
- FEMA number :
- 2119
- Allergens :
- Linalool
- IFRA :
- This ingredient is restricted by IFRA
- Annexe I :
- Some regulated synthetic ingredients are found in nature and in certain proportions in natural ingredients. This presence in nature has to be taken into account when calculating limits of use recommended by the IFRA. In case you do not know these concentrations, you can use the ones estimated by the IFRA. Here they are :
- Annexe I :
- Some regulated synthetic ingredients are found in nature and in certain proportions in natural ingredients. This presence in nature has to be taken into account when calculating limits of use recommended by the IFRA. In case you do not know these concentrations, you can use the ones estimated by the IFRA. Here they are :
| List of regulated compounds contained in this ingredient | ||
|---|---|---|
| Regulated ingredient name | CAS N° | Estimated Concentration |
| p-Methoxybenzaldehyde | 123-11-5 | 0,1 |
| Estragole | 140-67-0 | 80 |
| l-Carvone | 6485-40-1 | 0,5 |
| Methyl eugenol | 93-15-2 | 0,5 |
| Eugenol | 97-53-0 | 0,5 |
| List of regulated compounds contained in this ingredient | ||
|---|---|---|
| Regulated ingredient name | CAS N° | Estimated Concentration |
| p-Methoxybenzaldehyde | 123-11-5 | 0,1 |
| Estragole | 140-67-0 | 80 |
| l-Carvone | 6485-40-1 | 0,5 |
| Methyl eugenol | 93-15-2 | 0,5 |
| Eugenol | 97-53-0 | 0,5 |
To learn more about IFRA's standards : https://ifrafragrance.org/safe-use/library
ScenTree is solely responsible for the information provided here.
