Chemical Properties
The volatile oil is obtained by steam distillation of mature, unripe, sun-dried fruit. The oil exhibits a characteristic
spicy, camphor-like odor. The yields of oil ranges from 10 to 18%.
Chemical Properties
From steam distillation of mature,
unripe fruit of piper cubeba L. (Fam. Piperaceae).
Colorless to light green liquid; spicy odor, slt acrid
taste. Sol in fixed oils, mineral oil; insol in glycerin,
propylene glycol.
Physical properties
It is a pale yellow to bluish-green, slightly viscous liquid. It is soluble in most fixed oils and in
mineral oil, but it is insoluble in glycerin and propylene glycol.
Occurrence
Found in the fruit of Piper cubeba L. (Fam. Piperaceae).
Uses
Fragrance and flavoring agent; as a spice in cooking.
Definition
Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Piper cubeba, Piperaceae.
Preparation
By steam distillation of the mature, unripe, sun-dried fruit of P. cubeba after crushing or coarse grinding.
Essential oil composition
Cubeb oil has been reported to contain 33% sabinene, cineole. 17% sesquiterpene alcohols and 14% cadinene
Safety Profile
A skin irritant. When
heated to decomposition it emits acrid
smoke and irritating fumes.
