this is about volatile oil with its properties, classification and one drug containing volatile oil i.e. Mentha

1. Volatile Oil
Index
1. Introduction
2. Properties
3. Classifications
4. Drugs Containing volatile oil

2. Introduction
• Volatile oil is a concentrated, hydrophobic
liquid containing volatile aroma compounds
from plants.
• Volatile oils are also called as essential oil
because they represent the essence or
odoriferous constituents of plants.
• They are mostly found in plants of families like
Pinaceae, Apiaceae, Rutaceae, etc.

3. Properties of Volatile Oils
• They are liquid , lipophile and volatile with a
characteristic smell.
• They are insoluble in water but soluble in
alcohol, ether and other lipid solvents.
• They are usually lighter than water and their
specific gravity is less than 1.
• Volatile oils have high refractive index and
show optical rotation.

4. Classification of Volatile Oil
1.
Hydrocarbon
Volatile Oil
Eg. Bitter
orange,
Turpentine,
Juniper, etc.
2.
Alcoholic
Volatile Oil
Eg. Mentha,
Coriander,
Rose, etc.
3.
Ester Volatile
Oil
Eg. Lavender,
Rosemary,
Sweet
Orange, etc.
4.
Aldehyde
Volatile Oil
Eg.
Cinnamon
Bark, Cassia
Bark, Lemon,
etc.
5.
Ketonic
Volatile Oil
Eg. Caraway,
Dill,
Spearmint,
etc.
6.
Phenolic
Volatile Oil
Eg.
Cinnamon
Leaf, Clove,
Horsemint,
etc

5. MENTHA
• Synonyms : Colpermin, Mentha Oil
• Biological Source : The oil is obtained by
steam distillation of the fresh flowering tops
of the plants known as Mentha piperita Linn,
belonging to family Labiatae.
• Geographical Source : It is cultivated in
various parts of the world. It grows wild in
Europe, while it is cultivated in Japan,
England. In India, it is cultivated near Jammu
and in Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh.

6. • Macroscopic Characters
Colour : Colourless to Yellow.
Odour : Characteristic and pleasant.
Taste : Pungent followed by cooling
sensation.
Solubility: It is soluble in 70% alcohol, ether
and chloroform and insoluble in
water.

7. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
• Peppermint oil contains chiefly L-menthol to
the extent of 70% in free, as well as, in the
form of esters, depending upon variety.
• American Peppermint Oil contains 80%
menthol while Japanese Oil contains 70-90%.
• Other important constituents of the
peppermint oil are menthone, menthofuran,
jasmone, methyl acetate and several other
terpenes derivatives.

8. CHEMICAL TEST
• Few drops of peppermint oil are mixed with
5ml of nitric acid solution(prepared by adding
1ml of nitric acid to 300ml of glacial acetic
acid).
• Heat on water bath and within five minutes
liquid develops – blue color, which on further
heating deepens and show cooper color
fluorescence after some time it becomes
golden yellow.
• It is clear and transparent liquid.

9. USES
• Mentha is used as a carminative, stimulant
and flavouring agent.
• It has mild antiseptic properties.
• It is also used in toothpastes, tooth powders
and different pharmaceutical dosages forms.
• Mentha oil is also used for inhalation in stem,
as well as topical products.

10. ThankYou
ARSHDEEP SINGH
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