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Some physical and chemical characteristics of Sri Lankan nutmeg oil
Author(s) -
SarathKumara Subaddarage J.,
Jansz Errol R.,
Dharmadasa Hearath M.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740360208
Subject(s) - nutmeg , sri lanka , chemistry , geography , food science , environmental planning , tanzania
Approximately 80 samples of Sri Lankan nutmeg oil (both industrially produced and laboratory distilled) were examined for relative density, optical rotation and refractive index and also analysed by gas chromatography. Results showed that although the oil resembled the West Indies type nutmeg oil rather than the East Indies type it had distinguishing features. Results of studies on industrially produced samples were as follows: relative density (30°/30°C). 0.8690±0.0085; optical rotation (30°C), 31.7±2.7°; refractive index (30°C). 1.4726±0.0024; sabinene content, 38.9±12.7%; myristicin content, 2.3% (mean); and elemicin content, 1.2% (mean). On the basis of these studies there appears to be a strong case for revising the Sri Lanka Standard for nutmeg oil, Sri Lanka, which at the present time lays down specifications similar to that of the East Indies oil.