Vetivert oil

Chemical properties

Vetiver oil is produced by steam distillation of the roots of the grass Vetiveria zizanioides (L.)Nash (Poaceae), which grows wild or is cultivated inmany tropical and subtropical countries.Theoil is a brown to reddish-brown, viscous liquid with a characteristic precious-wood and root-like, long-lasting odor.
The tenacity of the highly complex vetiver oil is attributed to its high sesquiterpene content. The ketones α-vetivone (1–6%) and β-vetivone (2–5%), which usually form up to 10% of the oil, as well as khusimol (5–18%) and isovalencenol (1–16%), are the main constituents.
The oil contains a considerable number of bi- and tricyclic primary, secondary, and tertiary sesquiterpene alcohols called vetiverols or vetivenols. These alcohols, as well as their acetates, are valuable fragrance materials. Since several varieties of vetiver grass exist and since fresh as well as air-dried roots are distilled under conditions that vary with the producer, the quality of the commercial oils differs considerably. Oil yields are up to 3%. 150–200 t are produced annually.

Chemical properties

Herbaceous plant having thin rhizomes and rootlets; it grows wild or cultivated in various tropical countries—southern India, Indonesia, Ceylon, the Philippines, East Africa and Central America. The fibers of the grass are woven into fragrant matting with an aromatic, balsamic odor. The largest and industrially most important cultivations of vetiver are found in Réunion Island, Java, Haiti and southern India. The parts used are the rhizomes and rootlets. Vetiver has a sweet, heavy, rich, woody, earthy odor and an asparagus, green-pea flavor.

Chemical properties

Vetiver oil is obtained by steam distillation of washed and sun-dried rootlets and rhizomes from Vetiveria zizanioides in approximately 1.0 to 1.5% yields. The oil has a characteristic, sweet, earthy, woody odor that varies somewhat, depending on the source.

Physical properties

The oil is a viscous, light-brown to dark-brown liquid.

The Uses of Vetivert oil

vetiver oil (Vetiveria zizanioides)(khus-khus) is considered stimulant and tonic, and used in perfumery as well as in cosmetics. The oil, which has an aromatic to harsh woodsy odor, is produced from the roots of a fragrant grass.

Definition

Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Vetiveria zizanoides, Gramineae.

Essential oil composition

The main constituents include vetiverol (a mixture of sesquiterpene alcohols), vetiverone (sesquiterpene ketone mixture), vetiveryl esters and palmitic and benzoic acids.

Composition

Khusimol, sesquiterpene alcohol isolated from the root of V. zizanioides was found to competitively inhibit the binding of vasopressin to rat liver V1a receptors.*