Neroli oil

Description

Neroli bigarade is a product obtained by processing flowers of the bitter orange tree. The blossoming flowers are the only part used. Neroli bigarade has a very powerful floral odor with a bitter flavor.
The essential oil is obtained in ca 0.1% yields by steam distillation of the flowers. The distillation waters, rich in dissolved essence, are used as is in perfumery, cosmetics, and sweets. Neroli bigarade essential oil, or simply neroli oil, has slightly different physical- chemical properties depending on its origin. Italian neroli oil, qualitatively equal to the French product of much larger production, is a pale-yellow to amber liquid, slightly fluorescent, with an intense, suave, flowery aroma.
The main constituents include pinene, camphene, dipentene, lina-lool, ι-linalyl acetate, α-terpineol, geraniol, nerol, nerolidol, methyl anthranilate, indole, farnesol, and phenylacetic acid esters.
The derivatives are concrete and absolute. Orange flower concrete is obtained in 0.24 to 0.28% yields by extracting freshly picked flowers with a solvent (usually petroleum ether). Treatment of the concrete with ethanol produces the orange flower absolute in approximately 50% yields. The absolute is a yellow-red liquid with an extremely suave odor typical of the flower.

Chemical properties

Neroli oil and orange flower absolute are obtained from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, C. aurantium L., which is grown in the Mediterranean region. Neroli oil is produced by steam distillation and is a pale yellow to amber-colored liquid, with a slight blue fluorescence and a characteristic sweet, spicy, bitter odor of orange blossom.
d²⁰₂₀ 0.863–0.876/0.870–0.880; n²⁰_D 1.464–1.474/1.465–1.472; α²⁰_D +2 ° to +12 °/+2 ° to +11 °; solubility: 1 vol in not more than 3.5 vol of 85% ethanol at 20 ℃; acid number: max. 2.0; linalool content by GC 26–48%/26–55% (oils of Tunisia and Morocco/Egypt).
After separation of neroli oil, the aqueous layer of the steam distillate, known as orange blossom water, is extracted with suitable solvents (e.g., petroleum ether). Evaporation gives orange flower water absolute (absolue de 1’eau de fleurs d’oranger), which is a dark brown-red liquid. It contains less terpene hydrocarbons and correspondingly more polar compounds than neroli oil.
Orange flower absolute is obtained from the blossoms by solvent extraction via the concrete. It is a dark brown liquid with a warm, spicy, bitter odor.
Themain volatile constituent of all three products is linalool. Their typical flavor is created by a number of nitrogen-containing trace constituents, such as indole and derivatives of anthranilic acid.

Chemical properties

The essential oil is obtained in 0.1% yields by steam distillation of the flowers. The distillation waters, rich in dissolved essence, are used as is in perfumery, cosmetics and sweets. Neroli bigarade essential oil has an intense, suave, flowery aroma

Physical properties

Neroli bigarade essential oil has slightly different physical chemical properties depending on its origin. Italian neroli oil, qualitatively equal to the French product of much larger production, is a pale-yellow to amber liquid, slightly fluorescent

Occurrence

Found in the blossoms of C. aurantium L. (Fam. Rutaceae) (Guenther, 1949).

The Uses of Neroli oil

neroli oil is a fragrance. It is used in skin care preparations to stimulate cell regeneration. given its sedative and soothing properties, it is indicated for sensitive and delicate skin. However, neroli oil appears beneficial for all skin types. True neroli is extracted from bitter orange blossom. This is one of the most expensive oils and, therefore, is widely adulterated with the distillation of other citrus blossoms such as sweet orange, lemon, and mandarin.

The Uses of Neroli oil

orange flower oil is a fragrance that is credited with soothing and calming properties when used in skin care preparations. orange flower oil should not be confused with orange flower extract. The flowers from the bitter orange tree yield, by distillation, an essential oil known as neroli, which forms one of the principal elements of eau de cologne. A pomade and an oil are also obtained from orange flowers through maceration. The oil from sweet orange blossoms is far less fragrant than that from bitter orange. The flowers are distilled immediately after being gathered. The essential oil, which rises to the surface of the distillate, is drawn off, whereas the aqueous portion is sold as orange flower water. one hundred kilograms of flowers will yield 600 grams of oil by volatile solvents, 400 grams by the maceration method, and only 100 grams by enfleurage.

Preparation

By distillation of the blossoms of C. aurantium (Poucher, 1974).

Definition

Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Citrus aurantium, var. amara, Citrus.

Essential oil composition

The main constituents include pinene, camphene, dipentene, linalool, l-linalyl acetate, α-terpineol, geraniol, nerol, nerolidol, methyl anthranilate, indole, farnesol and phenylacetic acid esters (Burdock, 1997). Neroli essential oil has been reported to contain terpenic hydrocarbons (mainly limonene 9 to 18%, β-pinene 7 to 17%, α-pinene <2%, myrcenel), terpenic alcohols and esters (linalool 28 to 44%, α-terpineol 2 to 5.5%, nerolidol 1 to 5%, farnesol 1 to 4%, linalyl acetate 3 to 15%, neryl acetate <2.5%, geranyl acetate 1 to 5%) (CoE, 2000).

General Description

Clear golden, fluorescent liquid with a very intense and pleasant odor.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

FEMA 2771 turns brown on exposure to light.

Fire Hazard

FEMA 2771 is probably combustible.