Perfumes balsam Peru

Benzyl Ginnamate.—The cinnamic acid ester of benzyl alcohol is a natural constituent of storax, tolu, and Peru balsams. It is a crystalline Bubstance with a characteristic sweet balsamic odour. It may be prepared by heating sodium cinnamate, alcohol, and benzyl chloride together under a reflux condenser. It is a useful ester where a sweet balsamic odour is required to be introduced into a perfume, especially cf the heavy type. It forms white, glistening prisms, which melt at 39°, and.decompose when heated to 350°. The best commercial specimens have the following characters —... 

Vanillin, CgHgOj, is one of the most important synthetic perfumes. It is the active odorous ingredient of the vanilla pod, in which it occurs to the extent of about 2 per cent., appearing on the surface of the bean as a fine white crystalline efflorescence. It occurs naturally also in Sumatra benzoin (about 1 per cent.), Siam benzoin (15 per cent.), and the balsams of Tolu and Peru (traces). Numerous other bodies have been recorded as containing it, such as asafoetida, beetroot and asparagus, the seeds of Lupinus albus, the seeds of Sosa canina, etc. 

The oil is used for its excellent fixative properties in perfumes for soap and cosmetics. Use of Peru balsam itself is banned because it is allergenic. 

Allergic reactions to balsam of Peru are detailed under perfume allergy (Sect. R). The literature on this subject is based on Hjorth s monograph (1961). 

Balsams, oleoresins solutions of resins in volatile oils. B. are produced either as normal plant constituents, or in response to pathological conditions or injury. Commercially, the most important B. is turpentine, produced (1-2 kg/tree/year) by conifers in re-ponse to bark injury. Steam distillation of the crude B. yields turpentine oils the residue is colophoy (rosin). Other B., usually named after the country of origin (e.g. Peru B., Canada B.), are used in perfumes and pharmaceuticals. 

Fisher AA, Dooms-Goossens A (1976) The effect of perfume ageing on the allergenicity of individual perfume ingredients. Contact Dermatitis 2 155-159 Fisher AA (1980) Perfume dermatitis. Part 1. General considerations and testing procedures. Cutis 26 458-463,477 Fisher AA (1990) Perfume dermatitis in children sensitized to balsam of Peru in topical agents. Cutis 45 21-23 Fisher AA (1995) Consort contact dermatitis due to musk ambrette. Cutis 55 199-200... 

Opdyke DLJ (1976) Inhibition of sensitization reactions induced by certain aldehydes. Fd Cosmet Toxicol 14 197-198 Panconesi E, Sertoli A, Spallanzani P, Giorgini S (1980) Balsam of Peru sensitivity from a perfumed cutting fluid in a laser factory. Contact Dermatitis 6 297-298 Parodi G, Guerrera M, Rebora A (1987) Lichenoid photocontact dermatitis to musk ambrette. Contact Dermatitis 16 136-138... 

Bruze M (1986) Simultaneous reactions to phenol-formaldehyde resins colophony/hydroabietyl alcohol and balsam of Peru/ perfume mixture. Contact Dermatitis 14 119 Burge PS (1984) Occupational asthma, rhinitis and alveolitis due to colophony. In Pepys J (ed) Clinics in immunology and allergy. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 55-81 Burry JN (1976) Contact dermatitis from radiata pine. Contact Dermatitis 2 262-263... 

In patients hypersensitive to phenol-formaldehyde resin (resol), simultaneous patch-test reactions to formaldehyde, colophony, hydroabietyl alcohol, balsam of Peru, perfume mixture and p-ferf-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin have been reported. In patients hypersensitive to p-terf-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin (resol), simultaneous patch-test reactions to hydroabietyl alcohol, balsam of Peru and phenol-formaldehyde resin have been reported (Bruze 1986). 

Bruze M (1986) Simultaneous reactions to phenol-formaldehyde resins colophony/hydroabietyl alcohol and balsam of Peru/ perfume mixture. Contact Dermatitis 14 119-120... 

Due to the sensitising chemicals they contain, flavours and spices have been a concern, but there are few reports of contact sensitivity to such compounds among bakers. Cinnamon has been noted as a cause of hand eczema among bakers in several case reports (Malten 1979 Dooms-Goossens et al. 1990 Nixon 1995). The patients were patch tested with cinnamon powder. Nixon s patient reacted to balsam of Peru, the perfume mixture, cinnamic alcohol and cinnamic aldehyde. Cardamom has also been described as a contact allergen (Mobacken and Fregert 1975)- Positive patch tests were seen to cardamom powder, 50% cardamom powder in petrolatum, oil of cardamom, delta-carene, dipentene and oil of bergamot. 

Bruynzeel and Prevoo (1990) found the perfume mixture more useful than balsam of Peru as a predictor of spice allergy. It can be useful to carry out patch testing with spices in their natural form as a screening procedure this should not be done with garlic, however, as it is an irritant (Bruynzeel and Prevoo 1990 Kanerva et al. 1996a). 

Among 1039 persons with occupational dermatoses diagnosed by dermatologists in Jutland, Denmark in 1983-1984, 34 were bakers. They were all patch tested with the European Standard Series. Three reacted to the perfume mixture, one to balsam of Peru and one to black-rubber mix. For all five patients, the positive patch tests were considered to be occupationally relevant (Veien et al. 1986). 

Balsam of Peru Perfume mixture Thiuram mixture Other rubber additives... 

Its suave odor makes Peru balsam oil a very versatile perfume material that can be incorporated in almost any type of perfume base. Consists of esters of cinnamic and benzoic acid, vanillin, styracin (Indian balsam, China oil. Black balsam, Honduras balsam, Surinam balsam)... 

Uses common ingredient in perfumes for household products like deodorizers, detergents, and soap flavor in toothpaste, sweets, ice cream, soft drinks, chewing gums, and cakes in balsam of Tolu and Peru, hyacinth plant, spices, cinnamon, Ceylon and cassia oil some perfumery uses (Canoe hyacinth bubblegum Balsam Cassia) natural occurrence (cinnamon)... 

Uses ointment in the treatment of scabies and other parasitic skin diseases used in inhalations for catarrh of the upper respiratory tract in fumigating pastilles and powders in perfumes imbedding material in microscopy topical protectant expectorant some perfumery uses (aerosol fragrances apple blossom fixer the best for soap Stock) in veterinary medicine, it is used as a parasiticide Cross balsam of Peru, tincture of benzoin, dieythylstilbestrol. STYRAX BENZOIN... 

Apart from its usage in bakery, cooking, confectionery, toothpastes and dentifrices, perfumes, cosmetics and on toothpicks, oil of cinnamon may be incorporated in proprietary medicines. Calnan(57 ) reported 6 patients with an allergic contact dermatitis from the use of a proprietary antiseptic ointment (TCP ointment), containing oil of cinnamon. Three were positive and three negative to balsam of Peru. Two of the latter cases and one other also reacted to cinnamic aldehyde. 

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