Essential oils labelling

Special care and attention shonld be given when handling essential oils labeled with... 

The flavor chemist is responsible for the basic knowledge of sensory and appHcation properties of each of this large number of raw materials the large number of possible combinations of these items to produce specifically flavored finished compounds is readily apparent. It is not uncommon to develop a flavor that combines essential oils, plant extractive, fmit juices, and synthetics. The choice of materials depends on type of product, conditions of manufacture, labeling, and intended use. 

Exceptions to the simple definition of an essential oil are, for example, gadic oil, onion oil, mustard oil, or sweet birch oils, each of which requires enzymatic release of the volatile components before steam distillation. In addition, the physical process of expression, appHed mostly to citms fmits such as orange, lemon, and lime, yields oils that contain from 2—15% nonvolatile material. Some flowers or resinoids obtained by solvent extraction often contain only a small portion of volatile oil, but nevertheless are called essential oils. Several oils are dry-distiUed and also contain a limited amount of volatiles nonetheless they also are labeled essential oils, eg, labdanum oil and balsam oil Pern. The yield of essential oils from plants varies widely. Eor example, nutmegs yield 10—12 wt % of oil, whereas onions yield less than 0.1% after enzymatic development. 

The quality and composition of essential oils are of paramount importance to the aromatherapist when choosing oils. We all expect to see products such as foods and cosmetics properly labelled, giving names and amounts of ingredients along with instructions for use and associated possible hazards. This is not yet the situation with aromatherapy oils, but it is likely to develop. It will be a considerable task as essential oils may contain up to three hundred different compounds, albeit many in minuscule amounts, and criteria would have to be set to decide a convention for such labelling. Good working practices, as currently advised, are outlined in this area. 

The fixed oils that the aromatherapist uses as carrier oils are often added to concentrated essential oils. Some retail outlets sell essential oils in dilutions as low as 1 o/o in a carrier oil. Many people think they are buying the concentrated oil only with careful examination of the small print on the label does the dilution of the composition become apparent. 

Details of labelling will be covered in the aspects of Professional Practice on an aromatherapy course. For practical purposes the label for an essential oil should indicate the following ... 

Because of the enormous amount of raw products used to obtain a small amount of essential oil, many products on the market have been polluted with lower-quality commercial oils to reduce their cost, a fact not usually indicated on the label. This is why it is important to study the chemical composition of the volatile fraction once the essential oil is extracted. This fraction is characterized by the complexity in the separation of its components, which belong to various classes of compounds and which are present in a wide range of concentrations. Therefore it is complicated to establish a composition profile of essential oils. 

Essential oils - General rules for labelling and marking of containers... 

This applies especially to substances such as the essential oils or lignin. The comparatively small amount of tvork so far done on the biogenesis of alkaloids from isotopically labeled amino acids suggests that theories of biogenesis of alkaloids from amino acids are probably justified. 

Figure 30.14 Top TOF mass spectrum from a sample of essential oil obtained by cold pressing the skins of 10 grapes (0.5 ml). Bottom TOF mass spectrum, at the same experimental conditions, for the residue obtained from this sample after pressing (580 mg). Relevant mass peaks are labelled...

To avoid an increase of cases of allergic contact dermatitis in the public, many essential oils nowadays have to labeled as sensitizing—can cause allergic reaction Cosmetic producers as well as discounters with private labels avoid naming and labeling and thus, force the replacement of natural products. Essential oil producers offer natural oils with reduced values of sensitizers and this is not possible. Maybe the essential oils are treated in some way, but then are no more natural, according to ISO standard. 

Since the publication of the rst edition of this book, quite a few changes have taken place regarding the regulations of handling and labeling of essential oils. These are considered and class ed by regulatory authorities in most parts of the world not only as natural but also as chemical substances, abbreviated as NCS (the so-called natural complex substances). 

For the dispatch of samples of those essential oils class ed as dangerous substances, the regulations for documentation are canceled and the requirements for packing have been reduced to a minimum and thus the excepted quantity is of invaluable help. However, the dispatch is only allowed in a combined packing and the packaging must be marked with the label excepted quantity (Figure 24.4). 

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