Volatile oil information

1. VOLATILE OIL
Dr.J.S.Suryawanshi,
Asst. Prof., Dept.of Pharmacognosy,
Satara college of Pharmacy, Satara

2.  • Definition :
 The odorous, volatile principles of plant and
animal sources are known as volatile oils. They
are liquid,
 volatile oils will evaporate or volatize when
exposed at an ordinary temperature and so
they are called ethereal oils.
 They are also called as essential oils as they are
essences or concentrated constituents of the
plants.

3.  1.They are soluble in alcohol, ether and other lipid solvents and
practically insoluble in water.
 2. They are usually lighter than water.
 3. They possess characteristic odours and they have high refractive
index.
 4. Most of them are optically active.
 5. They are secreted in special structures such as duct, cell,
schizogenous or lysigenous gland, trichomes.
 6. They are commonly found in the species of Labiatate, Rutaceae,
Piperaceae, Zingeberaceae, Umbellifereae, Myrtaceae and
Lauraceae.
 7. They are present in entire plant or in any part of the plant
General properties of volatile oils

4.  Chemically , they are derived from terpenes
and their oxygenated compounds.
 Terpenes arise from Acetate via mevalonic
acid. TERPENOID
 Basic unit of terpene is an Isoprene unit
(C5H8).
 These are branched chain 5 carbon units
containing 2 unsaturated bonds.

CHEMICAL NATURE

5.  1 Isoprene unit present= Hemiterpene (C5H8)
 2 Isoprene unit present= Monoterpenes
(C10H16)
 3 Isoprene unit present= Sesquiterpene
(C15H24)
 4 Isoprene unit present= Diterpene (C20H32)
 6 Isoprene unit present= Triterpene (C30H48)
 8 Isoprene unit present= Tetraterpene (C40H64)
 n isoprene units = Polyterpenes
 Majority of the terpenes are monoterpenes
and sesquiterpenes in volatile oils.
Terpenes

7. Sr.
No
.
Chemical Type Example Plant source
1 Alcohol volatile
oils
Menthol, Santalol
Geraniol, Borneol
Mentha oil, Geranium oil,
Sandalwood oil
2 Aldehyde volatile
oils
Citral, Citronellal,
Cinnamic aldehyde
Lemon peel , Cinnamon,
3 Ester volatile olis Geranyl acetate,
Methyle salicylate
Gultheria oil Geranium oil
Lavender
4 Hydrocarbon
volatile oils
Limonene, Pinene Lemongrass oil
5 Ketone volatile
olis
Fenchone, Carvone Fennnel oil Caraway,
Camphor
6 Oxide volatile
oils
Cineole Eucalyptus,
Chenopodium
7 Phenolic ether
volatile oils
Anethol, Myristicin Fennel,
Nutmeg
Classification of volatile oils

8.  Pharmacy
 Perfumery
 Cosmetics
 Food Industry (Spices and condiments)
 Polish industry
 Insecticides and Insect repellent
 Flavours for foods & confections
 Tobacco Industry
 Miscellaneous industries (as starting materials for
the synthesis of the active principles of medicines,
vitamins, and fragrances).
Applications of essential oils

9.  a. As a counter irritant
 b. Eucalyptus oil administered as an inhalant.
 c. Improves local circulation
 d. As carminative(relieve gas),shows
antispasmodic.
 e. Thymol is used in mouth washes and gargles
 f. Local anesthetics
 g. Reduce secretion of lungs in cough and
asthma.
 h. Antiseptic, anti bacterial, anti fungal
 i. Anti helminthes (destroy parasite worms)
 j. Also used in aroma therapy
(eg.lavander, rosemary)
THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES

10. Flavonoids

11.  Flavonoids are a group of plant metabolites
thought to provide health benefits through
their antioxidant effects.
 These molecules are found in a variety of fruits
and vegetables.
 Flavonoids are polyphenolic molecules
containing 15 carbon atoms and are soluble in
water.

12. Flavonoids - C6 – C3- C6

13.  They consist of two benzene rings connected
by a short three carbon chain. One of the
carbons in this chain is connected to a carbon
in one of the benzine rings, either through an
oxygen bridge or directly, which gives a third
middle ring.
 The flavonoids can be divided into six major
subtypes, which include
chalcones, flavones, isoflavonoids, flavanones,
anthoxanthins and anthocyanins.

14.  Many of these molecules, particularly the
anthoxanthins give rise to the yellow color of
some petals, while anthocyanins are often
responsible for the red color of buds and the
purple-red color of autumn leaves.

15.  Health benefits to humans
 Flavonoids are important antioxidants and
promote several health effects. Aside from
antioxidant activity, these molecules provide
the following beneficial effects:
 Anti-viral
 Anti-cancer
 Anti-inflammatory
 Anti-allergic