Absolute (fragrance)

Absolutes are highly concentrated fragrances (essential oils ) mostly from plants, which can not be extracted by steam distillation.

Method

The plant material is placed in a solvent such as hexane, petroleum ether, toluene, methanol, or ethanol, then the solvent is evaporated by distillation. There arises here a solvent-free paste the concrète, which is then mixed with alcohol and filtered. Essential oils, which are obtained by this method have a scent that reminds better to the original plant, as not will be lost as the steam distillation by heat and pressure, precious fragrances.

Known absolutes is obtained from acacia, Champaca, oak moss, frangipani, broom, hay, heliotrope, hyacinth, iris, jasmine, lotus flower, magnolia, mimosa, narcissus, osmanthus, rose, tobacco, tonka bean, tuberose, vanilla.