Tolu Balsam Resinoid
Naturelle
Balsamic Ambery > Balsamic > Vanillic > Warm Woods
Crédits photo: ScenTree SAS
Latin name :
Myroxylon balsamum var. toluiferum
Botanical profile :
The Tolu balsam comes from a balsam tree of the Fabaceae family and the genus Myroxylon.
Geographic origin :
Originally from Colombia, this balm is mainly produced in this country, in Santiago de Tolu (a historical cultural site), but also in Venezuela and Cuba
Chemotypes :
The genus Myroxylon includes only two species :
Myroxylon balsamum grouping the two varieties used in perfumery : Peru Balsam Resinoid (var.pereirae) and Tolu Balsam Resinoid (var.toluiferum).
Myroxylon peruiferum : less used in perfumery.
Myroxylon balsamum grouping the two varieties used in perfumery : Peru Balsam Resinoid (var.pereirae) and Tolu Balsam Resinoid (var.toluiferum).
Myroxylon peruiferum : less used in perfumery.
Extraction process :
The explotation of balsam trees begins when the tree reaches 20 to 30 years because the trunk has a greater width and therefore, yield is better. The local people, called ''balsameros '', are responsible for strategically incising (V-shaped incision) the trunk of the tree causing an immune response and allowing the exsudation of a brown balm. This incision is usually made from January to May during the dry season and from May to September during the rainy season. Following the incision, the farmers come to apply an inflamed torch on the wounded surface. This step is essential otherwise the balm would not exhilarate. Then, they put rags directly on the trunk to collect the balm by absorbing all of the exsudate for a few weeks. Afterwards, the rags are collected and boiled to separate the balm from the fabrics.
After the balm is collected, it is diluted in alcohol to precipitate heavy and insoluble bodies. Precipitation is favored by glazing, which means subjecting the balm-alcohol mixture to a temperature gradient of 140 °F to 32 °F to obtain the resinoid. The resinoid is obtained with an extraction yield between 60 and 70%.
The Tolu resinoid can be distilled to be bleached, without a great olfactory deterioration.
After the balm is collected, it is diluted in alcohol to precipitate heavy and insoluble bodies. Precipitation is favored by glazing, which means subjecting the balm-alcohol mixture to a temperature gradient of 140 °F to 32 °F to obtain the resinoid. The resinoid is obtained with an extraction yield between 60 and 70%.
The Tolu resinoid can be distilled to be bleached, without a great olfactory deterioration.
Major Components :
Benzyl Benzoate (50-55%)
Benzoic Acid (20-25%)
Ethyl Cinnamate (≈7%)
Cinnamic Acid (≈5%)
Cinnamaldehyde (≈2%)
Benzoic Acid (20-25%)
Ethyl Cinnamate (≈7%)
Cinnamic Acid (≈5%)
Cinnamaldehyde (≈2%)
- Uses in perfumery :
- Used in amber fragrances and floral bases for a warm and soft touch. Useful for a reconstitution of vanilla pods.
- Other comments :
- The smell of Peru Balsam resinoid is more animalic than the Tolu resinoid one, more greedy and caramelized.
- Volatility :
- Heart/Base
- Appearance :
- Brown resin
- Stability :
- Solubility issues in perfumes
The esters identified in this raw material can form their corresponding acid in stability tests - 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.
Tolu Balsam has antibacterial, expectorant (coughing) properties and is recommended for bronchitis, colibacillary cystitis (bladder inflammation) and parasitic dermatitis (such as scabies for example).
Crédits photo: ScenTree SAS
- EINECS number :
- 232-550-4
- FEMA number :
- 3070
- Allergens :
- Cinnamyl Alcohol - Cinnamates
- 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 |
| Benzyl alcohol | 100-51-6 | 0,2 |
| Benzaldehyde | 100-52-7 | 0,05 |
| Benzyl cinnamate | 103-41-3 | 2,6 |
| Cinnamic alcohol | 104-54-1 | 0,04 |
| Cinnamic aldehyde | 104-55-2 | 0,5 |
| Benzyl benzoate | 120-51-4 | 10,4 |
| Eugenol | 97-53-0 | 0,12 |
| Isoeugenol | 97-54-1 | 0,08 |
| List of regulated compounds contained in this ingredient | ||
|---|---|---|
| Regulated ingredient name | CAS N° | Estimated Concentration |
| Benzyl alcohol | 100-51-6 | 0,2 |
| Benzaldehyde | 100-52-7 | 0,05 |
| Benzyl cinnamate | 103-41-3 | 2,6 |
| Cinnamic alcohol | 104-54-1 | 0,04 |
| Cinnamic aldehyde | 104-55-2 | 0,5 |
| Benzyl benzoate | 120-51-4 | 10,4 |
| Eugenol | 97-53-0 | 0,12 |
| Isoeugenol | 97-54-1 | 0,08 |
To learn more about IFRA's standards : https://ifrafragrance.org/safe-use/library
ScenTree is solely responsible for the information provided here.
