Petitgrain Oil

Chemical properties

Petitgrain oil Paraguay is obtained from an acclimatized variety of the bitter orange tree, C. aurantium L., which is grown in Paraguay. It is pale yellow liquid with a characteristic, strong, pleasant odor, reminiscent of linalool and linalyl acetate.
d²⁰₂₀ 0.882–0.893; n²⁰_D 1.455–1.463; α²⁰_D ?5 ° to ?1 °; solubility: 1 vol in 4 vol of 70% ethanol at 20 ℃; acid number:max. 1; ester number: 122–190, corresponding to an ester content of 39–67% (calculated as linalyl acetate). The main constituents are linalool (15–30%) and linalyl acetate (40–60%). A number of trace constituents contribute essentially to the odor. Annual production in Paraguay is nearly 200 t.
Petitgrain oil bigarade is derived from the bitter orange tree C. aurantium L., grown in France, Italy, Spain, and North Africa, see also bitter orange oil, p. 199.

Chemical properties

Petitgrain bigarade oil is obtained in approximately 0.2% yields, by steam distillation of leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree; the leaves are the main starting material. Paraguay petitgrain oil (or petitgrain oil, South American) is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves and twigs of a variety of C. aurantium L. growing semiwild or cultivated in Paraguay. Distillation using superheated steam reduces hydrolysis of esters important for quality aroma. From either petitgrain bigarade or Paraguay petitgrain oil, a terpeneless oil can be prepared by vacuum distillation.

Chemical properties

The petitgrain essential oil of mandarin is obtained by steam distillation of leaves, small twigs, and unripe fruits with yields of about 0.3%. The oil is produced in several mandarin-growing areas (especially Algeria); however, production is somewhat limited. The oil exhibits a fruital odor and a yellow-amber fluorescent color.

Physical properties

Petitgrain Bigarade Oil: An Italian product, petitgrain bigarade oil is a pale-yellow to amber liquid. Paraguay Petitgrain Oil: A South American product, Paraguay petitgrain oil is a yellow to brownish-yellow liquid. It is soluble in most fixed oils and mineral oil (with opalescence and turbidity). It is relatively insoluble in glycerin.

Physical properties

The oil is a dark-olive green liquid.

The Uses of Petitgrain Oil

petitgrain oil is widely used in pharmacy and perfumery for its therapeutic and tonic effect. Its fragrance is fresh, invigorating, and slightly floral with a bitter note. Like neroli, real petitgrain (or petitgrain biguarade) is obtained by distilling the leaves of the bitter orange tree. Petitgrain bergamot, petitgrain lemon, and petitgrain mandarin are also produced. It may be irritating to the skin.

Definition

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

Essential oil composition

The main constituents of the essential oils include l-linalyl acetate, linalool, terpineol, and geranyl and nerol esters. The petitgrain oil (reference sample France) contains terpenic alcohols (linalool 12 to 24%, terpineol 2 to 5%, nerol <1% and geraniol 1 to 2%), terpenic ester (linalyl acetate 51 to 71%, neryl acetate 1 to 2%, geranyl acetate 1 to 3%) and terpenic hydrocarbons (myrcene <1.5%, β-ocimene 0.2 to 2.2%, β-pinene 0.3 to 2.7% and limonene 0.4 to 8%) (CoE, 2000).

Safety Profile

Low toxicity by ingestion and skincontact. A combustible liquid. When heated todecomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating vapors.