Peru balsam

Химические свойства

Peru balsam oil is obtained by distillation of the balsam of the tree Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae (Royle) Harms (Fabaceae), called Peru balsam. It is a yellow to pale brown, slightly viscous liquid, which may form crystals.The oil has a rather sweet, balsamic odor.
d²⁵₂₅ 1.095–1.110; n²⁰_D 1.5670–1.5790; α²⁰_D ?1 ° to +2 °; acid number: 30–60; ester number: 200–225; solubility: 1 vol in at least 0.5 vol of 90% ethanol.
Peru balsam is produced almost exclusively in El Salvador in a quantity of about 100 t/yr. The oil yield from the balsam is about 50%. Major components are benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate. Nerolidol and vanillin contribute to the odor.
The oil is used for its excellent fixative properties in perfumes for soap and cosmetics. Use of Peru balsam is banned because it is allergenic.

Физические свойства

Peru balsam is a viscous, transparent, dark-brown mass. The balsam is readily soluble in 95% alcohol, chloroform and glacial acetic acid, and only partially soluble in ether and petroleum ether.

Вхождение

Peru balsam is the exudation from the trunk of Myroxylon pereirae (Royle) Klotzsche (Fam. Leguminosae) (Guenther, 1952)

Использование

Peru balsam is used as a mounting medium for microscope specimens.

Подготовка

By collection of the exudation from the trunk of Myroxylon pereirae (Arctander, 1960).

Cостав эфирных масел

The main constituents include benzyl benzoate, benzyl cinnamate, n-nerolidol, farnesol, vanillin, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamyl cinnamate and probably stilbene.

Профиль безопасности

A mild allergen. Combustible when heated. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.