INTRODUCTION:
Volatile oils are odorous principles found in various plant parts. Because they evaporate when exposed to air at ordinary temperature they are called volatile oils, ethereal oils or essential oils. They are called essential oils as the essence or odoriferous constituents of the plants.
Volatile oils are colourless when fresh but darken in colour after prolong standing due to it s oxidation. To prevent this darkening, they should be stored in cool, dry place in tight stoppered preferably full (not half-emptied) amber glass container.
All volatile oils are complex mixtures of chemicals. They vary widely in chemical composition. They are generally a mixture of hydrocarbons and oxygenated compound derived from these hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons are generally terpene derivatives formed via the acetate mevalonic acid pathway and often are liquid called ELEOPTENE.
The oxygenated hydrocarbon portions, which are derived from skikimic acid and often are called stearoptenes. The odour and taste of volatile oils are mainly determined by oxygenated stearoptene, which are usually soluble in water and alcohol.
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