BALSAM PERU

In 1899 Thoms isolated an alcohol from Peru balsam oil, which he termed peruviol. This body was stated to have powerful antiseptic properties, but has not been further investigated until Schimmel Co. took up the subject. The oil after saponification was fractionated, and after benzyl alcohol had distilled over, a light oil with characteristic balsamic odour passed over. It boiled at 125° to 127° at 4 mm., and had a specific gravity 0 8987, optical rotation -1- 12° 22, and refractive index 1-48982. This body appeared to be identical with Hesse s nerolidol, whilst in physical and chemical properties it closely resembles peruviol. The characters of the various preparations were as follows —... 

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 —... 

Styrene occurs naturally in benzoin, rosemary, sweetgum, cassia. Oriental styrax, and Peru balsam (Duke, 1992). Identified as one of 140 volatile constituents in used soybean oils collected from a processing plant that fried various beef, chicken, and veal products (Takeoka et al., 1996). 

C9H12O, Mr 136.19, bpmkP 237.5 °C, df 1.008, nf 1.5278, occurs both in free and esterified form in resins and balsams (e.g., benzoe resin and Peru balsam). It has been identified in fruit and ciimamon. 

R = CH2C6Hs, C14H12O2, Mr 212.25, 6p2.okPa 170-171 °C, df 1.1121, ng 1.5680, is the main component of Peru balsam oil. It occurs in fairly large amounts in a number of blossom concretes and absolutes (e.g., tuberose and hyacinth). It forms either a viscous liquid or solid flakes mp 21 22°C) and has a weak, sweet-balsamic odor. It is prepared either by transesterification of technical methyl benzoate with benzyl alcohol, or from benzyl chloride and sodium benzoate. A third process starts with benzaldehyde which is converted in high yield into benzyl benzoate in the presence of sodium or aluminum benzylate (Tishchenko reaction). 

Peru balsam oil is obtained by distillation of the balsam of the tree Myroxylon pereira (Royle) Klotzsch (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. 

Peru balsam is produced almost exclusively in El Salvador. The oil yield from the balsam is ca. 50%. Major components are benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate. Nerolidol and vanillin contribute to the odor [284aj. 

Peru balsam Myroxylon pereirae (Royle) Klotzsch Benzyl benzoate, benzyl cinnamate... 

As the rose essential and absolute oils are some of the most expensive oils in the market, they are likely to be adulterated. True essential oils may be diluted by the addition of chemicals such as phenylethyl alcohol, diethyl phthalate (DEP), citronellol and geraniol and with fractions from other essential oils such as geranium. The absolute may be adulterated with synthetic fractions of oils such as Peru balsam and clove bud absolute. 

Peru balsam Myroxylon pereirae (S, )-Nerolidol, methyl cinnamate 108... 

Benzyl Alcohol.—The simplest aromatic alcohol is the hydroxyl derivative of toluene and is known as benzyl alcohol, CeHs—CH2—OH. The radical, (CeHs—CH2—), is termed benzyl as in the alcohol and chloride above. The alcohol occurs as an ester in Peru balsam, in storax, a resin obtained from a plant sty rax, and in Tolu balsam from which the mother hydrocarbon toluene derives its name. On hydrolysis of the balsam benzyl alcohol is obtained. It is a liquid, b.p. 206.5°, slightly soluble in water and soluble in alcohol or ether. It may be prepared by those syntheses just given which yield primary alcohols. It may also be prepared by the reduction of the corresponding aldehyde, known as benzoic aldehyde or benzaldehyde (p. 655). On oxidation it yields the aldehyde and then an acid, benzoic acid. 

Benzyl benzoate is a constituent of Peru balsam and occurs naturally in certain plant species. Commercially, benzyl benzoate is produced synthetically by the dry esterification of sodium benzoate and benzoyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine or by the reaction of sodium benzylate with benzaldehyde. 

Benzyl Alcohol, NF. Ben/yl alcohol (phenylcarbinol. phenylmethanol) occurs naturally as the unesteriried form in oil of jasmine and in esters of acetic, cinnamic, and benzoic acids in gum benzoin,. storax re.sin. Peru balsam, tolu balsam, and some volatile oils. It is. soluble in water and alcohol and is a clear liquid with an aromatic odor. 

Tolu balsam, a plastic solid, is derived from a related tree in Colombia. Its uses are similar to Peru balsam. Source of tolu oil. Odorless. 

Derivation Occurs naturally in Peru balsam and oils of orange flower, sweet orange, and ylang ylang. Also made synthetically. 

Astringents used are allantoin, bismuth oxide, bismuth subgallate, witch hazel (hamamelis) extract, Peru balsam and zinc oxide. 

PERU BALSAM, Balsamum peruvianum. This is a pathological product, which is produced in El Salvador and other Central American countries from the bark of Myroxylon balsamum (L.), Harms var. pereirae (Royal) Harms, family Fabaceae,... 

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. 

Pennyroyal (aerial parts) Petitgrain (leaves) (orange) Peru balsam oil (exudate) Pimento (fruit)... 

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