Chemical Properties
Elemi oil and Elemi resinoid are obtained fromexuded gumresin of Canarium
luzonicum Miqu. (Burseraceae) or closely related species, trees growing in the
Philippines. The resin is extracted with a solvent to form the resinoid, which is
a yellow to orange mass of high viscosity.The oil is produced by steam distillation
of the gum resin and is a colorless to light yellow liquid.
d2020 0.850–0.910; n20D 1.4720–1.4900; α20
D +44 ° to +85 ° .
The major components of elemi oil are limonene (40–72%), ??-phellandrene
(10–24%), and the sesquiterpene alcohol elemol (1–25%). In
the 1990s, 500 t/yr of elemi resin was collected; today, the quantity dropped to
150–200 t/yr. Both the resinoid and the oil have a fresh, citrus-like, peppery odor
and are used predominantly in soap perfumes.
Chemical Properties
The oil is steam-distilled from the crude resin in 20 to 30% yields. It has a pleasant odor reminiscent of phellandrene.
This oil is not stable because of the oxidation of terpenes. Freshly distilled oils should be preferred for use in flavor and perfume
application
Physical properties
Elemi oil is a colorless or pale-yellow, mobile liquid. Its high content of unstable monoterpenes
tends to form peroxides and may present hazard of explosion after heating the oil. Upon storage, the oil tends to resinify and polymerize,
the odor can become disagreeable.
Definition
Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Canarium commune, Burseraceae.
Essential oil composition
Main constituents include alpha-d-phellandrene, depentene, elemicin and sesquiterpene alcohols.
