Importance and chemical composition

Importance and chemical composition

    Lavender (Lavendula Linn.) is a small genus of perennial aromatic herbs, semi-shrubs or shrubs of Lamiaceae family. It includes about 28 species. Three species of Lavendula are extensively utilized for extracting essential oils. These are True Lavender, L.angustifolia Mill sub sp. angustifolia (Syn.L.officinalis Chiax, L.vera Dc.,) Spike lavender, L.latifolia Mill., L.spica.DC and Lavandin, L.intrmedia Emeric; ex Loiset Mill., L.spica. DC and Lavandin, L.intermedia Emeric; ex Loiset (Syn.L.hybrida Revr.,). The latter is a hybrid between true lavender and spike lavender. True lavender is one of the most important essential oils used in the perfumery industry. Spike lavender yields inferior oil, which is less fragrant than that of the true lavender and rosemary. Lavandin possesses the characteristics of both the parents and yields oil which combines the fragrance of true lavender with the camphoraceous harshness of spike lavender. However, lavandin oil is not as fine as lavender.

    Lavender oil has a delightfully clean, refreshing and sweet odour. Its main constituent is the ester, linalyl acetate, which ranges from 30 to 60% and to which the characteristic lavender odour is is attributed. Another compound which is present only in small amounts but plays an important role in the odour is ethyl-n-amyl ketone. Free linalool is also a major component, particularly of the English lavender oil, which has a peculiar heavy and slightly camphoraceous odour. The other compounds present in lavender oil are: α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene, limonene, cineole, cis-oscimene, trans ocimene, camphor terpinen-4-0l, caryophyllene, lavandulyl acetate, lavandulol, α-terpineol and borneol.

    Lavender oil is one of the most popular scents, its delightfully refreshing odour blends well with many other essential oils. Lavender water, a mixture of oil in water and alcohol, is a highly popular toilette articles in England. The best quality oil (50% esters) is used in the preparation of high-grade perfumes, second quality (38 to 42% esters) for lavender water, toilette waters eau de cologne,etc.; and low grade (30 to 35% esters) oil in the scenting of soaps and talcum powders. The oil is also used in medicine as a flavoring agent and sometimes as a carminative. Lavender flowers are used in making sachets and potpourri.

    The oil of lavander is used as a substitute for true lavender oil. It is of considerable value in the soap industry. On account of its microbicidal action, it is nowadays finding increasing use in the form of aerosols, for disinfecting houses, classrooms and public halls in Europe.

Last modified: Wednesday, 4 April 2012, 9:36 AM