Chemistry Project
Chemistry Project
Saunf (aniseed).
INTRODUCTION:-We are all familiar
with the pleasant odours coming out from
flowers, spices and many trees. The essence or
aromas of plants are due to volatile oils present
in them. These smelling volatile oils present in
plants are called essential oils. Cinnamon,
clove, cumin, eucalyptus, garlic, jasmine,
peppermint, rose, sandalwood, spearmint,
thyme, wintergreen are a few familiar examples
of valuable essential oils. The term “essential
oils” literally means “oils derived from the
essence” of plants.
Essential oils are mainly used for their pleasant
odours and flavours in perfumes and as
flavouring agents in foods. Some are used in
medicines (e.g., camphor, wintergreen,
eucalyptus) others as insect repellents (e.g.,
citronella). Chemically essential oils are
composed of complex mixtures of ester,
alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, ketones and
hydrocarbons. They are essentially non-polar
compounds and are thus soluble in non-polar
ANISEED ESSENTIAL OIL
Aniseed Plant
Aniseed, on steam distillation, yields an
essential oil, known as `Oil of Aniseed`,
which has now replaced the fruits for
medicinal and flavouring purposes.
Aniseed oil is a colourless or pale-yellow
liquid having the characteristic odour and
taste of the fruit. The yield of oil generally
varies from 1.9 to 3.1 per cent. Higher
values up to 6 per cent have been reported
from Syrian aniseed. Crushing of fruits
prior to distillation gives better yields of
oil. The material should be distilled soon
after the crushing to prevent any loss of oil
due to evaporation. Aniseed oil is a highly
refractive liquid, which solidifies on
cooling. The congealing point depends
much on the anethole content and is a
valuable criterion for evaluating the oil.
Exposure of the oil to air causes
polymerization, and some oxidation also
takes place with the formation of
anisaldehyde and anisic acid. The chief
constituent of aniseed oil is anethole,
which is present to the extent of 80 to 90
per cent and is mainly responsible for the
characteristic flavour of the oil. The oil also
contains methyl chavicol, pmethoxyphenyl
acetone, and small amount of terpenes and
sulphur containing compounds of
disagreeable odour.
Aniseed Essential Oil
Common Method of Extraction:-Steam Distillation
Colour:-Clear
Botanical Name: Pimpinella anisum
Aromatic Description:-Distinctive scent of licorice.
Rich and sweet.
Constituents:-A-pinene, camphene, B-pinene,
linalool, cis-anethole, trans-anethole, safrole,
anisaldehyde, acetoanisole.
Uses of Aniseed Oil
In aromatherapy, aniseed essential oil is used
to treat colds and flu.
Aniseed oil can be made into a liquid scent and
is used for both hunting and fishing. It is put
on fishing lures to attract fish.
Anethole, the principal component of anise oil,
is a precursor that can eventually produce 2,5-
dimethoxybenzaldehyde which is can be used
in the clandestine synthesis of psychedelic
drugs such as 2CB, 2C-I and DOB.
Oil of aniseed is also reported to be used as an
aromatic carminative to relieve flatulence, and
as an ingredient of cough lozenges in
combination with liquorice.
Essential oil is also used externally as an
insecticide against small insects such as head
lice, mites and vermin. It also has fungicidal
properties.
REQUIREMENTS
Steam generator (Copper Vessel), round bottom flask (500 ml),
conical flask, condenser, glass tubes, iron stand, sand bath, separator
funnel, tripod stands, burners, Ajwain(Carum), Petroleum ether(60-
80°C),Saunf(Aniseed) .