Chemical Properties
East Indian sandalwood essential oil is steam-distilled from comminuted dried, ground roots and wood chips. It has a strong, warm, woody odor
Chemical Properties
Sandalwood oil is obtained by steam distillation of the heartwood of sandalwood
trees, formerly mainly from the East Indian species Santalum album L.
(Santalaceae). It is a slightly viscous, almost colorless to yellow liquid with a characteristic,
sweet, woody, long-lasting odor.
d
2020 0.968–0.983; n
20D 1.5030–1.5090; α
20D 21 ° to 12 °; solubility: 1 vol ≤ 5 vol
of 70% ethanol at 20 °C; ester number: max. 10; free alcohol content (calculated
as santalol): min. 90%.
Santalum sandalwood oil consists almost exclusively of closely related
sesquiterpenoids; by far, the main constituents are the alcohols α-santalol, 41–55%, and β-santalol, 16–24%. Mainly responsible for
the odor is β-santalol.
The trees cultivated for oil production must be at least 30 years old to make oil
production profitable. The oil yield, calculated on the amount of wood used for
steam distillation, is 4–6.5%.The oil was formerly produced in India and Indonesia
in annual quantities of some 100t. In the past decades, the natural resources
in India are on the decline and the production in Indonesia has decreased
significantly. Alternatively, Australian sandalwood oil has been introduced on the
market. This oil type is obtained from Santalum spicatum (R.Br.) A. DC. It also
contains santalols as main constituents but differs somewhat in the remaining composition.
Australian sandalwood oil is a colorless to slightly yellow viscous liquid, d
2020 0.945–0.980; n
20D 1.500–1.517; α20
D 16 ° to +4 °; solubility: 1 vol≤5 vol of 70%
ethanol at 20 °C. α-santalol 15–25%; α-santalol 5–20%.
Physical properties
The oil is a pale-yellow to yellow liquid. It is soluble in most fixed oils, mineral oil (sometimes with haziness) and propylene glycol. It is insoluble in glycerin
Uses
Indian Sandalwood oil is a fragrance for use in various perfumed products like soap, after-shave lotions, colognes, and cosmetics; Mimusops; cedarwood; Clary sage; Casteoreum.
Uses
sandalwood oil (Santalum album)(santal; santalum) is credited with astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, tonic, stimulant, cooling, and soothing properties. It is also considered a good anti-septic in cases of acne and an astringent for oily skin. There are indications that sandalwood oil may promote epidermal cell turnover as some report it stimulates fibroblast growth. Sandalwood could help prevent the skin dryness associated with seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema. In addition, some manufacturers utilize it as a natural colorant to give products a light red or rose tone. Sandalwood oil might produce a rash in hypersensitive people, especially if it is present in high concentrations. It is produced by distillation of the inner wood.
Uses
Wood in boxes and carvings, as incense. Oil in perfumes and as fragrance in creams and lotions.
Definition
Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Santalum album, Santalaceae.
Essential oil composition
East Indian sandalwood essential oil consists mainly of α-santalol (90%) with traces of phenols, lactones and terpenes. The oil obtained from the heartwood of the plant contains approximately 90% of α- and β-santalols and several other minor components including sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (~6%). The santalols are responsible for the pleasant odor. The seed oil contains stearolic acid and santalbic acid.
Safety Profile
Low toxicity by
ingestion and skin contact. A sktn irritant.
When heated to decomposition it emits
acrid smoke and irritating fumes.
