CHAPTER V. VOLATILE OILS
High refractive index
Volatile oils
-also known as essences, ethereal oils, essential oils
-odorous principles, found in various plant parts
-evaporate when exposed to air at ordinary
temperatures
Volatile Oils occur in Specialized Secretory structure as:
1.Glandular hairs (labiatae/Lamiaceae)
2.Modified parynchymal cells (Piperaceae)
3.Oil-tubes called vittae (Umbelliferae)
4.Lysigenous/ schizogenous passages ( Rutaceae &
PInaceae)
Volatile oils may be formed:
1.Directly by the protoplasm
2.From the decomposition of the resinogenous layer
of the cell wall.
3.Hydrolysis of certain glycosides
Role of Volatile Oils in Plants:
1. As insect repellants (prevent destruction of
flowers and leaves)
2. As insect attractants (aiding in the cross
fertilization of flowers)
Volatile oils
-generally are colorless but on standing are oxidized
& resinified thus darkening in color.
-must be stored in a cool, dry place; tightly
stoppered; preferably in full amber glass container
Volatile oils differ in chemical composition but have
common physical properties which includes:
1.
2. Most are optically active
3. Immiscible with water but possess sufficient
solubility to impart their odor to water.
4. Soluble in most organic solvent (ether, alcohol)
Differences between volatile oils and fixed oils
1. VO can be distilled from their natural source.
2. VO do not consist of glyceryl esters of fatty acids
3. VO do not leave permanent grease on paper.
4. VO cannot be saponified by alkalies.
5. VO do not become rancid but instead are oxidized
and resinify.
Composition of Volatile Oils
1. HC
2. Alcohols
3. Ketones
4. Aldehydes
5. Ethers
6. Oxides
7. Esters
Methods of Obtaining Volatile Oils
1. Distillation (Turpentine oil)
-Three Distillation Methods used by industrial firms
a) Water distillation- for dry materials not
subject to injury by boiling
b) Water & steam distillation- dry/ fresh
materials fat may be injured by boiling
c) Direct steam distillation- for fresh drugs
2. Enzymatic hydrolysis ( Volatile Mustard Oil)
3. Expression( Lemon Oil, Orange Oil)
 Ecuelle Method- general method for citrus oils

- makes use of a trough lined with sharp

projections

4. Enfleurage ( Rose Oil)

-makes use of a glass plate and an odorless bland oil

or fat

-formerly used in the production of perfumes and

pomades.

5. Extraction

-using volatile organic solvents as petroleum ether,

benzene, etc

-Advantage of extraction over distillation is that:

a) Uniform temperatures can be maintained as a

result.

b) Extracted oils have a more natural odor.

c) Distilled oils may have undergone altered chemical

constitution by the high temperatures.

6. Destructive Distillation ( empyreumatic Oils)

- wood or resin are used

-Heated without air and decompose

-volatile compounds are driven off leaving charcoal

(carbon)

-the distillate separate into two layers:

A) an upper aqueous layer containing wood naptha

(CH#OH), pyroligneous acid (Crude acetic acid)

B) Lower layer of atarry liquid ( as in pine tar, juniper

tar)

Medicinals and Commercial Uses of Volatile Oils

1. Crude drugs are used medicinally for their volatile oils.

(ginger, garlic)

2. Volatile oils are used as drugs themselves

( wintergreen oil, eucalyptus)

3. Employed as spices and condiments (anise, cinnamon,

clove, nutmeg)

4. Fabrication of perfume and scents