Basil oil (estragole type)

Chemotypes :

Around 160 species of basil are reported (Ocimum L.). These can be divided into four major groups :
Eugenol and Thymol chemotypes:
- Ocimum Gratissimum L. (from Sri-Lanka)
- Ocimum tenuifolium L. (from India - Eugenol ≤ 60% ou Estragole ≤ 85% depending on varieties)
- Ocimum Viride L. (Thymol ≈70%).

Estragole chemotypes:
- Ocimum basilicum var. basilicum so-called "common basil". This variety is the most used in perfumery and is made in majority of Estragole.

Linalol chemotypes :
- Ocimum basilicum var. letuce or Ocimum basilicum var. "grand vert"

Citral chemotypes :
- Ocimum americanum L. (Mediterranean), so-called "Lemon Basil".

Camphor chemotypes :
- Ocimum kilimandscharicum L., also cultivated as a substitute for camphor tree.

Other species : Ocimum canum L. containing a lot of Methyl cinnamate.

Extraction process :

The basil harvest takes place from July to December. During this process, the aerial flowery part of the plant is harvested by hand, the top of the plant are dried before the steam distillation. The essential oil can be obtained through the flowers and the whole plant. Generally the treatment is done on the flowers during the first three to four years (yield ≈0.4%), then on the whole plant (yield ≈0.1%). The first distillation fraction takes about 4 hours to be collected.
Supercritical CO₂ extractions also exist for this plant, as well as "terpene-free" extracts.
Given the large amount of terpenes in the plant, it is strongly advised to extract it as soon as possible. Too much time between harvesting and distillation would dry the plant and the resultant EO would be less representative, accompanied by a raise of the Linalool and Eugenol rates in the EO. Usually, harvesting is made during sunny days, with no rain the day before. It is made in the morning, to avoid drying of the plant.

Uses in perfumery :

Used in masculine notes, fougere, chypre-fruity, in small quantities.

Stability :

The terpenes identified in this raw material can polymerize when they are oxidized
Aromatic compounds can be chromophoric and cause a coloration of the oil, especially in alkaline bases

Other comments :

Adulterations exist, especially with Copaene, Caryophyllenes, D-germacrene.
Usually, Egypt-originated Linalool chemotype of basil is used in perfumery, and over all 50% Linalool qualities (high price) or the one with 42 to 48% Linalool (affordable price).

Adulterations exist, especially with Copaene, Caryophyllenes, D-germacrene.
Usually, Egypt-originated Linalool chemotype of basil is used in perfumery, and over all 50% Linalool qualities (high price) or the one with 42 to 48% Linalool (affordable price).

Allergens :

Linalool

Signal word :

Warning

Hazard pictograms :

Precautionary statements :

IFRA 51^th :

This ingredient is restricted by the 51th amendment

Annexe I :

Some regulated synthetic ingredients are found in nature and in certain proportions in natural ingredients. This presence in nature has to be taken into account when calculating limits of use recommended by the IFRA. In case you do not know these concentrations, you can use the ones estimated by the IFRA. Here they are :

Disclaimer :

ScenTree is solely responsible for the information provided here.

To learn more about IFRA's standards : https://ifrafragrance.org/safe-use/library