Essential Oils

An essential oil in a concentred hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aromatic

compounds. It is also known as volatile oils or aromatic oils or ethereal oils. It is
called essential oil as it carries certain distinctive scent or essence. These oils are
different from fatty oils in respect that it evapourates or volatiles when it comes in
contact with air . It contains basically hydrocarbons with straight chain ,ring or in
multiple rings .They appear largely to be by products of the carbohydrate and fat
metabolism but with further investigation found that all the compounds are product
of specially designed secondary metabolic pathways . These are found in almost all
the plant parts i.e leaves, flowers, fruits, bark, root, wood, seed etc. They occur in
about sixty plant families includingLabiate, Umbelliferae, Compositae, Gramineae,
Leguminaceae, Geraniaceae etc, The amount of oil content ranges from minute
traces to less than 2% or even little more. They ocour in small concentration in
special cells, glands or ducts either in one particular organ of the plant or distributed
over many parts. It has also role in pollination by attraction insects, controlling
transpiration in plant etc.

Methods of extraction of Essential oil

The method of extraction of essential oil depends upon the quantity of oil present
in the plant part & the stability of the aromatic compounds present in the oil. The
unstable compounds requires delicate technologies as it may be degraded under
extreme conditions like high temp etc.
The methods of extraction of essential oil are classified as
1. Distillation:
It is of 2 types
(a)Water distillation
(b) Steam distillation
This process is practised where the aromatic compounds in the plant species are not
affected or degraded by heat or steam.
2. Expression:
It is done mechanically either by hand or machinery and is applicable especially to
the fruitrinds.
3. Extraction solvents(volatile and Non-volatile solvents ),Hot oils , fats or
cold neutral fats.
It includes :(i) Enfleurage
(ii) Maceration
( iii) Extraction by volatile solvents
1. Distillation:
(a) Water or Hydro distillation:
It is the oldest method of distillation. In this method the plant samples are cut in
small pieces and the kept in a container along with water. Then it is heated such that
the oil comesout of the plant materials and mixed with the water vapour which is
then collected over water after being condensed. The oil is then removed from the
water.

Sometimes the plant materials burns due to direct heating of the container. In this
case to avoid burning and degradation of the aromatic compounds , a hot steam jet
is provided into the container containing both water and plant material .The
essential oil evapourated gets mix with the steam and passes to the condensor where
 it is condensed & then collected. This can be done in the case where the oil is lighter
than water. This method is also can be called water & stem distillation.

(b) Steam distillation:

In case of steam distillation, the steam is produced in a separate boiler then passed
to the container containing the plant material. The plant material is treated with the
steam and then the aromatic oil along with the steam evapourates which is
condensed and collected over water. The oil is then collected by opening the knob
at collection end. The steam is applied at normal atmospheric pressure i.e. 760mm
of Hg.
A recent technique involves steam distillation under partical vacuum i.e. 100-200mm of
Hg. This methods gives quick distillation with minimum decomposition of oil.
Steam at a pressure higher than that of atmosphere pressure isalso applied when the plant
material and essential oil both withstands high temp and are non hydrosable. This method
is the quickest way of distilling essential oil with high boiling point such as vetiver oil &
sandal wood oil.
2. Expression:
This process is used when the odour of the material is destroyed with application
of heate.g. in case if rinds of citrus. It involves squeezing the material at higher
pressure such that the oil comes out. It is done either manually of crushers or in
high mechanical presses in industries. The material is placed in an Iron cylinder
with perforation in its sides, then it is pressed and the volatile fluid escapes through
the hole which in collected. The residue whichlooks like pressed cake is again
treated with solvents for extraction of rest of essential oil from it.
3. Exteraction by solvents:
Extraction of oil done by both volatile & non volatile solvents.
(a) Non volatile solvents:
This methods involve using of non volatile solvents usually oils and fats which
absorbs the odours and yield pomades. It is done in 2 methods i.e. enfleurage and
macceration.
(i) Enfleurage:
This process is done in case of flowers in which the enssential oils are not extracted in
appreciable amount by stem or water distillations and also to the flowers which cannot
withstand the high temp of heat or steam extraction process. In this process, a fatty or greassy
base in smeared on glass plates arranged one abovee the other with the flowers between them.
The fat will absorb the perfume oil present in and exhaled by the flowers.The fat with the
flowers adhering to it is left for 1-3 days. The exhausted flower in then replaced by another
batch of fresh flowers. Then the perfume saturated fat is removed. This is called pomade. The
pomade in then wasted with alcohol which extracts the perfume. The fat to be used should be
neutral with high absorbent quality. The process can be speeden up by passing a current of air
through the flowers contained in a vessel.
Example - Extration of perfume from Jasmine
Scented hair oils also are prepared by modifying this process. The oil seeds or it Kernels are
placed in alternate layers with flowers & left for 12-18 hrs. The seed or kernels are then crushed
in mill which yields scented oil.
(ii) Maceration:
It is one of the oldest method of extraction. In this the flowers like Rose etc are immersed in a
bath of pure neutral fats like olive oil, tallow etc which in maintained at temp of 650-700C by
means of water bath. Fresh flower are added when the previous one are exhasusted and done
tillthe required concentration ofperfume is achieved.
 (iii) Extraction by volatile solvents:
The flower is extracted with petroleum ether and then the solvent in distilled off leaving a
semisolid residue, the concrete which consist of the oil and insoluble waxes. Then alchol in
added, the waxes are removed by filteration or by freezing. Finally the alcohol are eliminated
and &essential oilis obtained.

Classification of Essential oils

The essential oils are classified as per the plant parts from which it is obtained.
(i) Grass oils: Lemongrass oil, Palmarosa oil, Ginger grass oil, citronella oil
&Vetiver oil
(ii) Wood oils: Sandal oil, Agar oil, Deodar oil, Pine oil
(iii) Leaf oils: Eucalytus oil, Citridora oil, Camphor oil, Mint oil, Wintergreen oil.
(iv) Root oils: Costus oil, Vertiver oil
(v) Flower oil: Keora, Rose, Jasmine oil
(vi) Essential oil from lesser impotance : Ambrette oil.

(i) Grass Oils:

(a) Lemon grass oil:
Lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) is the source of Lemon grassoil which is obtained
from the leaves and shoots of the plant. It is indigenous to India and found mainly in Kerala,
some parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It is commercially grown in Travancore &
cochin, Assam, Maharastra & parts of Uttar Pradesh covering over an area of 200ha. The
main constituent of Lemon grass oil is the Citral content.
There are 2 varieties of lemon grass found in Kerala
i.e. (i) Cymbopogan flexusus with red stem and high citral content. It yields the true lemon
grass oil.
(ii) The other is
Cymbopogon flexuosus var. albescens (or) C. travarcorensis with white stem & no citral
content. It yields oils of about 0.7%. It resembles ginger grass oil (Cymbopogon martini
Var. Sofia) &can be used as a substitute of it.
The oil content is about 0.25-0.5% of grass weight. The citral content varies from 41- 85%.
It was found to be high in drier sandy areas i.e. 80-85% while in fertile soil it is about 65-
77%.
The grass is cultivated on hill shopes along the contour. It is done either by broadcasting
the seeds and subsequently thinning it or by planting seedings or planting materials raised
from slips at an internal of 30cm x 30cm. The grasses is ready for harvest in may-June i.e.
1st cutting after 90 days of sowing. It is harvested in every 35-40 days and upto January it
yields minimum 6 cuttings. The stubbles are burnt finally before April shower & then the
fresh shoot arises & get ready to harvest by May. It is perennial in nature & gives good
yield for 5 years. The average herbage yield in about 15-19 tonnes/ha/year with the oil yield
of nearly 56 kg/ha/year. The oil has lemon odour& reddish yellow to reddis brown in
colour.
Some important varieties released for lemongrass cultivation are Sugandhi (OD-19) ,
Pragathi, Praman, RRL-16, CKP-25.
Uses:
It is mainly used in the mfg. of perfume for soaps, hair oils, scents& medicines. It has
antibacterial properties, used in preparationof vitamin A. It is also used in confectionery
& liquor, flavoring wines & sauces. It can be used for headaches, toothaches, disinfectants
and mosquito repellent creams.
(iv) Khus oil/ Vertiver Oil:
The Oil is obtained from the roots of Vetiver Zizanioides. It is found in plain & lower hills
upto an elevation of 1200m. It is abundant in plain & rever banks& marshy soils. It is found
in wild state is UP, Punjab & Rajasthan & semi wild state in Odisha, Bihar, Assam & A.P.
It is cultivated in parts of T. Nadu, Kerala, M.P. Total area under the grass is about 3900ha
& total outputof roots is about 2900 tonnes. It has 2 varieties
(i) Flowering distributed in North India has low oil yield but of superior quality.
(ii) Non flowering variety distributed in South India has high oil yield but of inferior
quality than the previous.
HYV like Nilamber, Dharini, Gulabi & Kesari are widely cultivated in the country.
Matured roots are harvested by digging it out at after 1 ½ - 2year particularly
duringDecember-Feburary month. Then it is dried under shade for 1-2 day. It is extracted
by steam distillationmethod . The distillation in completed in 12-14 hrs for North Indian
variety while it taken 72-96 hrs for south Indian variety. The average yield in North Indian
variety in 0.15-0.2% & South Indian variety in 1%.
The oil in then kept for 6 months to improve its odour.

Uses:
It is used in purfume, cosmetics & soaps. It is used for flavouring beverage & for blending
with other essential oils. It is applied locally to relieve pain and also used against colic,
worm diseases. It has also refrigerant properties. The grasses are used as fodder stems &
inflorescence used making brooms & baskets. It is also for cheeking soil erosion.
(v) Ginger grass Oil:
It is obtained for Cymbopogon martini, sofia variety. It is grown gregariously rear Nasik,
Khandesh& Panch Mahal district. The oil is obtained by distillation of leaves, stalks &
flowers & the yield is about 0.15-1% on dry wt. basis. It is a sweet smelling oil & normally
used for blending perfumes for cheaper variety of soaps and other products. Its annual
production in about 2000kg.
Cymbopogon caesius another sps from T. Nadu& Keraal yields oil similar to ginger grass
oil & used to adulterate the original ginger grass oil.
(iii) Wood oils:
(a) Sandal wood oil:
The genus santalum has 20 sandal wood yielding species of which S. album in the most
important which yields the east Indian sandal wood oil. It is extract from the heart wood of
the tree where as sapwood in used as fire wood or in mfg. of agarbathis. It is distributed
mainly in Karnataka ,Tamilnadu& some parts of kerala. Besides this it naturalises in
Odisha, maharastra, rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and UP .it is introduced in Bihar,
Assam,Manipur & W. Bengal. It covers over an area of more than 1,26,000 ha & in
production is about 2000 Tonneof which ¾ th comes from Karnataka. The chief constituent
of the oil in Santalol which forms about 90% of the oil. The heartwood starts commencing
when the tree is about 20 yrs old & tree is harvested between 30-60 yrs with girth of 40-
60cm. The yield of oil from a ton of heart wood in 45-55kg.
The heart wood is cut into small pieces and then grinded into powdered. The oil is then
extracted from this powder by steam distillation method at low pressure for 100-120 hours.
Uses:
It is one of the oldest known perfume. It is also used for blending with other essential oils.
It is used for medicinal purposes like cooling, antipyretic, expectorant and stimulant.
(b) Agar oil:
 It is distilled from the resinous portion of the wood of Aquilaria agallocha. The tree in
mainly distributed in Khasi hills of Assam & parts of W. Bengal. The resinous wood known
under trade name Agar, aloewood or eaglewood.Matured trees 50-60 years old infected
with fungus are exploited& the average Yield of resin is 3-4 kg/tree. Agarwood is classified
into real agar and dhum agar. Real agar is hard & brown while later is soft & yellow - white
in colour. The wood is soaked in water for 60-70 hrs & then chipped & powdered. The
powdered wood are subjected to steam distillation for extraction of oil. The yield of oil
ranges from 0.75-2.5% of wood. It is used in perfumery for blending with high grade
perfumes & for burning as an incense.
(c ) Deodar wood oil:
The oil is extracted from the chips or sawdust of Cedrus deodara. The oil is called deodar
oil and its yield varies from 3-10% . The oil is reddish brown to golden yellow with
characteristic odour. It is used in the perfumery, Soap making industriies & to adulterate
sandal wood oil.
(c) Pine oil:
It is extracted from the heartwood & stumps of pine sps through steam or destructive distillation
process. It is used as solvents for resins, oils, germicides & insecticides. It is also used as
perfumes for soaps & medicine in veterinary disinfectant sprays.
(iv) Leaf oils:
(a) Eucalyptus oil:
The oil is extracted from the leaves& terminal branches of Eucalyptus globulus
(Blue gum tree). The leaves are dried in shade for 3-4 days & then extracted for
oil through steam distillation. The yield of oil in about 1% on air dry weight and
it contain about 62% Cineole in oil. Its main use is flavouring of vapourisers,
mouth gargles, toothpastes. It is also used as lowcost perfumes, mosquito
repellant, disinfectant, headache balms etc.

(b) Citriodora oil:

It is distilled from the leaves of Eucalyptus citridora. The tree is introduced in
T. Nadu, Maharastra & Plains of North India. The oil yield is about 0.5-3.8%
by wt of leaves and contains 65-80% citronellal. It is used the perfumeary &
soap making.
(c ) Campor &Camphor oil:
These are obtained from the wood and leaves ofCinnamomum camphora by
steam distillation. The entire tree including on an average 1.5% camphor. It is
native of Japan & parts of China. In India it is cultivated in U.P, W. Bengal
&South India. The wood contains camphor about 5% by its weight where as
leaves yield 1% of the wt. of leaves. It is used for cold remedies, Perfumes&
insecticides. Nearly 70% of camphor production is used by the celluloid
industry.With theproduction of synthetic camphor from ∝pinene , natural
product has lost its importance. The other sources of comphor are Ocimum
kilimandscharicum which on steam distillation yields 5% volatile oils
containing 47-74% Camphor&also can be harvested after 4-5months of sowing.
It is also extracted from the turpentine oil from Pinus wallichiana, P. insularis
& Pinus roxburghii.
(d) Cinnamon leaf &Bark oil:
The Cinnamon oil is extracted from the leaf & bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum.
The oil is extracted by hydrodistillation method & the oil is collected below the
water. The oil content in leaf is about 0.71% of weight. .There are 4 types of leaves-
sweet, insipid, pungent & bitter of which oil is extracted from pungent & bitter
 types of leaves. The bark contracted from pugent & bitter types of leaves. The bark
contains about 0.5-1% oil. The main constituent of the oil is eugenol. The oil is
usedfor flavouring confectionary, liquors, pharmaceuticals, soaps & dental
preparations, germicidal & fungcidal purposes.
(vi) Pine needle oil:
It is a collective term for the oil extracted not only from Pinus sps but also from
spruce &fir. The oil content of needle of Pinus roxburghii is about 0.2% & in young
twigs it is about 0.5%.
The needles after extraction of oil are used for mfg. of pine wool . The wool can be
woven into fabrics, knitting, yarns. The oil is used in perfumery, soap making &
room spray, deodorant, disinfectants. It is also used widely for curing rheumatism.
(vii) Mint oils:
It is extracted from the species Mentha piperita (pepper mint) and M. arvensis. The
crop can be grown in 3 months and the oilis extracted from its leaves. The oil
content is about 0.5-2% ( on dry wt. basis) and contains menthol 70-80%. It is used
in confectionery, in medicines as antiseptic & stimulant.
(viii) Wintergeen oil:
It is extracted from the leaves of Gaultheria fragrantissima. It is distributed in Khasi hills
& hillsof South Inda. The oil in extracted by water distillation process. The oil contains
methyl salicylate. It is used in phramacentical preparations, candy, chewing gum,
toothpastes, perfumes etc.
(v) Root oils:
(a) Costus oil ( Kuth)
It is extracted from the roots of Saussuria lappa distributed in Kashmir & Himachal
Pradesh. The oil is used in the blending of many types of perfumes.
(b) Valerian oil (Valeniana wallichi)
It is extracted by stem distillation from the dry rhizomes of the plant. It is a herb distributed in
temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan. The oil is used for flavouring & blending.
(v) Flower oil:
(a) Keora oil:
It is obtained from of screw pine (Pandanus tectoriusorP.odoratissinus). It is distributed in
coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujrat & Andaman Nicobar Islands. The
flowers are usually large about 150 gms. The flowers are abundant during July-October month.
The plants usually starts flowering after 5 years &flower production increases upto an age of
20-25 years producing 24 flowers/ plant. The oil is extracted by water distillation method and
also by macerating the flower with sesamum oil. Theother product besides Keora oil are kewda
waterand kewda attar. kewda attar used for making fragrant hair oils, blending perfmues, pan
masala, scenting clothes, cosmetics, soaps, agarbathis.kewda water is used for flavouring
sweet, syrups &soft drinks. Kewda oil used as perfume and curing diseases like headache,
rheumatism.
Lesser important Essential Oils:
1. Abelmoschus moschatus (Hibiscus albelmoschus):
The seeds yield essential oil on distillation called Ambrette. It is used in cosmetics &
to scent the hair.
2. Acaia fernesiana:
The flower yields Cassie perfume of commerce. The essential oil in extracted from the
petals by maceration with cocoa butter or coconut oil.
3. Acorus calamus:
The rhizome on steam distillation yield Calamus oil or calamus perfume. It is used in
perfumery, blending with spice oils and flavouring alcoholic beverage.
 4. Bursera delpechiana:
It essential oil in extracted from the wood & husk of the berries. The wood contains
2.75% & husk 18% oil content. It is called Linaloe oil.
5. Boswellia serrata
It is extracted from the exuded gum oleoresin from stem and branches of the tree . The gum
oleoresin is called Salai-guggal.
6. Citrus limonia (Rough lemon, Jambila ,Jambira)
The oilis extracted from peels of the fruit & called Lemon oil. The chief constituent of oil in
Citral.
7. Crocus sativus (saffron): The oil in extracted by stem distillation from the dried stigmas. It
is very expensive essence. The plant is cultivated in Kashmir.
8. Jasminum grandiflorum: The essential oil is extracted from the flowers by solvent extraction.
It is called Jasmine perfume.
9. Juniperus macropoda:
The oil extractedfrom the sawdust & shavings by distillation. It is called Cedar oil.
1. Michelia champaca
The oil in extracted from the flowers of the tree by maceration and called Champ oil.
2. Mimusops elengi:
It is extracted from the flower of the trees by stem distillation. An attar can be prepared
with sandal wood oil as a base.
3. Pogostemon Patchouli:
It is obtained by stem distillation or solvent extraction of leaves of patchouli. The oil in
called Patchuli oil.
4. Melaleuea leucadendron:
The oil is obtainedby steam distillation from fresh leaves & twigs of the tree. The oil in
called Cajeput oil of commerce. It contains 50-60 Cineol.
 Fatty oils
Nature of fatty oils
These oils are extracted from the seeds of the trees/plant. It is also called fixed oil, Non
volatile oil or Expressed oil.
It consists of compound of glycerine with certain complex organic acid or fatty acids. These
oil donot evaporate and cannot be distilled without being decomposed. The difference
between fats and oilis that fats are soild or semisolid at room temp where as oils are fluid.
Fats usually contains stearic or palmitic acid where as oil contains oleic acid. Fats are souble
in organic solvents. Most of the fats & oils become rancid when stored for longer period at
hight temp and open air which is because of breakdown of fats into fatty acids and
glycerine.
When the fats as boiled with alkalis, it decomposes and the fatty acid unites with alkali to
form soap.
Occurrence
Then fatty oils are largely found in seeds which provides energy for early growth of the
seedling.
Methods of extraction
There are 2 main methods of extraction of fatty oils
(i) Extraction
(ii) Expression
(i) Expression:
In this first the seeds, are screened to remove the impurities, such as sand & stones, then seeds
are decorticated by suitable mechanical methods i.e either by hand or mechanical decortiator.
The kernels separated are then pressed between iron rolls. The crushed seeds are then placed
over metallic plate in a hydrallulic press containing 2 metal plates of which one is fixed and
other moveable. Then it is pressed and the oil is forced out by the pressure between the plates.
It is known as expression.
In an another slightly modified method, the oil yield is higher just by heating or cooking
the seeds. The crushed seeds are placed in a jacket into which steam is applied. The steam
softens the crushed kernel after which it is pressed mechanically to obtain oil.
The expressed oil drain into a settle tank which by heating it or agitating with caustic
soda to saponify the free fatty acids. During the process , it is also bleached to reduce the dark
color of oil & deodorized it . In rural areas the principle of oil extracation remain the same ,
however, it is extracted by Ghanis or village press made up of wood.
(i) Extraction:
In this method the oil is extracted by using volatile non polar solvents like petroleum
ether, nhexane etc. The crushed kernels are placed in an extractor to which the solvent
is supplied from another container after heating & condensing it. The oil is then
extracted and get mixed with the solvent. The oil is then obtained by distillation of the
oil-solvent mixture.

Classification of fatty oils:

It is mainly divided into 3 group.
(i) Non drying oils: It remains fluids for longer period on exposure to air. These are usually
edible and also used for manufacturing of soaps & lubricants.
(ii) Semi drying oils: These are intermediate between non drying & drying oils. Ex: Sesamum,
cotton seed oil . It absorbs oxygen from the atmosphere slowly and in small amounts. Some of
it are edible.
(iii) Drying oils: These are able to absorb oxygen and on exposure it dries into elastic films.
These are used in the paints, varnishes industry. Ex. Linseed oil ( flax, Alasi) , tung oil
(Aleurites fordii)

Uses:
(i) It is used for cooking, butter substitutes etc.
(ii) It is used for soap making, paints, varnishes and lubricants.
(iii) It is also used as fuel for burning and to get heat & light.
(iv) It is also hydrogenated so that the some of nonedible fatty oils are converted to
edile oil .
(v) It is also used for extraction of biodesel & biofuel.

Some Important Tree Borne Oilseeds:

(1) Actinodaphne hookeri Family- lauraceae
It is a small tree mainly found in tropical evergreen forests of western ghost. It is found
mainly in Karnataka &Maharashtra state and also in Orissa, point of Amam, Sikkim
and Tamil Nadu. The tree yields av 14kg from / tree/years.
The seeds contain 48% of sold fat which a noune of lauric acid. It is useful for making
detergent.
(2) Aleunties fordi Family- Euphorbiaceae
It is native to China and Cultivated in Other parts of the world. In India, A. fordi and A.
montana are cultivated experimentally and shows promising results. The oil extracted from its
seed is called Tung oil. It is a drying oil and mostly used in paints and varnishes, oil cloths,
water proof textiles, printing inks & electrical insulation.
(3) Azadirachta indica Family- Meliaceae
It is distributed through out India. Approximately there are 1,40,00,000 neem trees in India
with production potential of 4,14,000 tonnes of oil against actual production of 23,600 tons.
The kernel content is about 45% Oil. It is used as medicine, illuminant, soap making,
insecticides ( Due to azadirachtin and other alkaloid content ) , oil cake as fertilizer.
(1) Callophyllum inophyllum Family- Clusiaceae
It is widely distributed throughout the coastal regions of the country. The oil content is about
50-73% of kernel wt. It is used for burning, Soap making. It is mixed with the resin of Vateria
indica for caulking boats. It seeds twice and an adult trees bears 12,000 fruits /Season.
(5)Diploknema butyraceae (Madhuca butyraceae) Family- Sapotaceae
It in known as Indian butter tree, distributed over Sub Himalaya tracts from Uttarakhand to
Bhutan. The seed yields oil called Phulwara butter which has a consistency of ghee. The oil
content is about 60-67% of the kernel. It is edible in nature and used in adulteration of ghee,
substitute of cocoa butter in chocolates, mfg. of soaps & candles, illuminant, curing rheumatism
& the oil cake can be used as manure.
(6) Garcinia indica ( Kokkum) Family- Clusiaceae
It is distributed in west coast in particularly western ghat area in Maharastra & Karantaka. It
is also found in small no. in Odisha. The tree yields about 11kg of seeds. The seed yields oil
23-26% (Seed wt. basis) and 44% (Kernel wt. basis) an edible fat called kokum butter.
Kokam butter. It is locally extracted by crushing the kernel , then boiling it in water and
skimming off the fat from the top ( or) by churning the crushed pulp in water & skimming off.
It is mainly used for adultuation of ghee, the oil cake is used as manure.
(7) Hydnocarpus Kurzii Family- Achariaceae
It is distributed in tropical evergreen forest through out upper Assam. It is mainly distributed
in China & Indo China Border area. The seed contains 16-56% of oil on Kernel wt. basis.The
oil is called Chaulmugra oil which is mainly used for treatment of leprosy & skin diseases.
(8) Hydnocarpus laurifolia / wightiana Family- Achariaceae
It is commonly found in western ghats from Konkan to Kerla. It is often planted road side in
hilly areas. The Kernell contains 63% Oil. The oil extracted is also called Chaulmugra oil or
maroti seed oil . The tree yields 100kg fruit or 20 kg seed/tree.
(9) Madhuca indica / M. longifolia
It has two varieties
i.e. M. longifolia Var. longifolia, M. longifolia. Var. latifolia
M. longifolia is distributed in South India, commonly in western ghats from konkan
Southwards usually aong the banks of rivers & streams, Gujrat, Maharsastra . M. latifolia is
distributed mainly in Punjab, Chattisgargh , M.P. U.P., odissa, Jharkhand & other parts of north
India. The seed yields fatty oil Known as Moha Butter or Mowra butter, Bassica fat etc. The
oil yield is about 33- 43% on keranal wt. basis. The tree starts bearing at 8-10 yrs age and
continues till 60 years. It is used as edible oil, adulteration of ghee, soap making, grease, fatty
alcohols, candles, medicinally for curing rheumatism, headache, Skin diseases, constipation,
mahua cake has insecticidal prtucidal properties and as manure.
(10) Mallotus phillippensis:
It is commonly frond in W. Bengal, foot hills of himalyas, odisha, Maharastra, M.P and other
states. Each tree yields 5-7 kg of seeds. The seeds contain 35 - 36% oil on kernel wt. basis. The
oil in drying type & can be a substitute for tung oil. It is used in Varnishes, hair fixers &
ointments. The cake is used as manure.
(11) Melia azedarah (Persian lilac) F- Meliaceae
It is native of west Asia but naturalised in our country mainly as ornamental avenue tree. The
seed yields absent 40% drying oil on kernel wt basis. It is used for soaps & hair oil.
(12) Manua ferrea ( Nageswar) F-Gutiferae
It is mainly distributed in Assam, West Bengal, Andamans and along the western ghat. The
tree yields about 10kg/seed/yr. The oil content in about 60-77% of the kernel wt. It in used as
illuminant, lubricating purposes, soap making. The oil cake is used as manure.
(13) Pogamia pinnata (Karanja) F- Papilionaceae
It is found throughout India upto an altitude of 1200m. It is widely distributed in Central &
Southern India & native of western ghat. The tree starts bearing at the age of 4-7 years. The oll
yield of fruits / tree is about 65kg. The oil yield is about 27-39% on seed wt basis & 49% on
kernel wt. basis. It is used for medicine as antiseptic & skin diseases (Karanjin), illuminant,
soap making, leather tanning, fish poison (seed), oil cake as manure, lubricant.
(14) Salvadora oleoides (Khakan) F-Salvadoracee
It is shrub or small tree with short twisted trunk & drooping branches. It is found in arid tracts
of Punjab, Gujrat, and Rajastan. Its fruits are edible. The oil content in about 40-50% on seed
wt. basis. It is used for soap making, industrial substitute for coconut oil, candles, for treatment
of rheumatism, seed cake used as feed stock & manure.
(15) Schleichera Oleosa (Kusum) F-Sapinadaceae
It is found in sub himalayan tracts from Kashmir to W. Bengal and in Central & Peninssular
India upto an altitude of 900m. The tree can yield seed 18-37kg/year. The seed contain oil 59-
72% on kernel wt. basis or 35-45% on seed wt. basis. It is used for soap making, hair oil,
lubricants, adulterant in mustard oil, edible purpose, curing skin diseases , oil cake as manure
etc.
(16) Shorea robusta (sal) F- Dipterocarpaceae
It is found mainly inn odisha, MP, Bihar, UP and W. Bengal. It is also found to some extent in
Haryana, HP, A.P& Assam. The oil extracted is called sal butter.
The oil content is about 16-17% on kernel wt basis. It is used for cooking, illuminant, adultering
ghee, soap making, chocolate, confectionary, tanning of leathers (oil cake), manure, cattle food.
(17) Vateria Indica (Vellapine) F- Dipterocarpaceae.
It is found in western ghat distributed from Kanara to Travancore. The oil extracted from seed
called Piney tallow. A single tree yields 400-500kg of seed. The oil content is 47-50% on seed
wt. basis. It is used as illuminant, substitute for ghee, rehumatism curing, candles, edible
purposes, confectionary.
(1) Jatropha curcas F- Euphorbiaceae.
Native of tropical America distributed almost throughout India. The seed contain 46-58% oil
on Kernel wt. basis or 30-40% on Seed wt. basis. It is a semi drying type of oil. It is used as
illuminant, lubricant, soaps, candles, skin diseases & rheumatism, hair growth , oil cake as
manure.

Important Bio diesel yielding species are

1. Jatropha curcas
2. Pongamia pinnata
3. Garcinia indica
4. Madhuca butyraceae
5. Madhuca indica
6. Azadirachta Indica
7. Simarouba glauca.
8. Aleurites sps (Tung)
9. Prunus armeniacea (wild apricot)
10. Simmondesia chinensis (Jojoba)
Waxes:
Waxes are usually found in the epidermis of leaves & fruits. The seeds of some trees also
produces waxes.
(i) Sapium sebiferum (Chinese tallow tree)
Found in North India and the seeds are coated with white wax. It is useful for candles, dressing
clothes & soaps.
(ii) Rhus succedanea
A small tree of Himalyas . The wax is collected from its seeds is mixed with the oil of Melia
azedarach seeds. It produces a type of wax used for making candles and marketed as Japan
wax.