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Leaves of Wintergreen in Distillation Units
of Dolakha
Khilendra Gurung
2007
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Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
A Report Submitted To
Ecology Agriculture and Rural Development Society
(ECARDS)Dolakha
Charikot, Dolakha
Submitted By
Khilendra Gurung
June 2007
2
Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
Table of contents
1. Introduction 1
2. Objectives 2
3. Materials and methods 2
3.1 Collection and extraction of essential oils 2
3.2 Determination of organoleptic properties 2
3.3 Determination of physicochemical properties 2
3.3.1 Specific gravity 2
3.3.2 Optical rotation 2
3.3.3 Refractive index 3
3.3.4 Solubility 3
3.3.5 Determination of acids 3
3.3.6 Determination of esters 3
3.3.7 Determination of ester number after acetylation 3
4. Results 4
4.1 Characteristics 4
4.2 Active constituents of Wintergreen oil 4
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Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
5. Conclusion 5
5.1 Actions 5
5.2 Uses 5
5.2.1 Aromatherapeutic uses 5
5.2.2 Other uses 5
References 6
Lists of tables
Table 1: Specification of Wintergreen oil 4
Table 2: Monoterpene composition of Wintergreen Oil 5
Table 3: Sesquiterpene composition of Wintergreen oil 5
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Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
Abbreviations and acronyms
C: Centigrade
CFUGs: Community Forest User Groups
DMC: Deudhunga Multipurpose Cooperative
GCMS: Gas ChromatographyMass Spectra
GEF: Global Environment Facility
HPPCL: Herbs Production and Processing Company Limited
M/S: Mild steel
m: Meter
ml: Millilitre
NTFP: Non Timber Forest Products
S/S: Stainless steel
SGP: Small Grant Program
UNDP: United Nations Development Program
VDC: Village Development Committee
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Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
1. INTRODUCTION
Dolakha district is rich in plant diversity due to the presence of wide range of
geographical and climatic conditions. Wintergreen plant (Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall.;
family: Ericaceae) locally known as Dhasingre/machhino/patpate is widely distributed in
open places, shrubberies, rocky slopes between 11002800m of Dolakha district
(Press et al. 2000).
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Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
Leaves of wintergreen are aromatic, stimulant and carminative. Juice of the leaves,
mixed with water, is taken for coughs. This juice, about 2 teaspoons, is given as an
anthelmintic. It acts as a vermicide on hookworms. Young leaves are also taken as an
anthelmintic. Oil extracted from the leaf is applied to treat rheumatism and scabies.
Immature fruits are chewed or their paste is given for stomach troubles. Juice of unripe
fruit is taken to treat stomachaches. Ripe fruits are eaten fresh. The fruits are also
distilled locally for alcohol (Manandhar, 2002). The leaves with twigs bear essential oil,
popularly known as Wintergreen oil.
In spite of such privileges, the locals were not able to reap rich rewards from wintergreen
plants. Several problems associated with wintergreen plant were lack of data on the
quantity of herbs available and scientific research on the weather, growing conditions
and life cycle of these herbs. There were no systematic and sustainable practices
regarding the management, conservation and marketing of these herbs. Against the
backdrop of these problems, Deudhunga Multipurpose Cooperative (DMC) came into
existence in 1995 (2051 BS) and by coordinating the Community Forest User Groups
(CFUGs) who depend on Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) for their livelihoods.
The cooperative started its activities by obtaining raw materials from the CFUGs and by
distilling Wintergreen oil. The cooperative now runs 4 locally made Mild steel (M/S)
distillation units and 3 newly installed Stainless steel (S/S) distillation units along with
S/S testing units and distills various essential oils like Abies, Anthopogon, Artemisia,
Juniper and Wintergreen oils. M/S distillation units were established with individual cash
contribution and raw material provided by CFUGs. While S/S distillation units were
installed with the assistance from UNDP, GEF/SGP with the increments of share holders
as Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) and identified propoor.
The cooperative has established itself as an ideal NTFP based industry, adopting social
inclusive model.
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Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
In this respect, it is essential to analyze the chemical constituents of wintergreen oil for
its quality control and quality assurance for its marketing to national and international
markets.
2. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the research are as follows:
1. To analyze the organoleptic and physicochemical test of wintergreen oil in
the authorized lab of Nepal
2. To incorporate the results of active constituents analysis of wintergreen oil
performed by other researchers
3. To recommend the quality control mechanism of wintergreen oil
3.1. Collection and extraction of essential oils
The leaves of wintergreen were collected from different CFUGs of Dolakha district. The
collected leaves were steam distilled to produce wintergreen oils in three distillation units
located at Lakuri Danda VDC, Suspa VDC and Hawa VDC of Dolakha district. About 10
ml sample from three distillation units were collected and mixed in 30 ml bottle. The
sample was taken to the quality control laboratory of Herbs Production and Processing
Company Limited (HPPCL) for the analysis work.
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Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
3.2. Determination of organoleptic properties
Organoleptic properties of wintergreen oil were detected by expert nose and eyes.
Appearance of oil was determined by eyes and aroma by nose.
3.3. Determination of physicochemical properties
The physicochemical properties of wintergreen oil were determined as according to
Guenther (1972).
3.3.1. Specific gravity
Specific gravity bottle (5ml, 10ml or 25ml) was used to determine specific gravity of
wintergreen oil. Dry and clean bottle was filled with oil to be determined and the weight
was taken upto three digits in an electronic balance. The same bottle was cleaned and
the weight of bottle with freshly boiled and cooled distilled water was taken. The weight
of oil contained in the specific gravity bottle divided by the water equivalent gives the
specific gravity of oil at specific temperature.
3.3.2. Optical rotation
Polarimeter was used to determine the optical rotation of wintergreen oil. The extent of
optical activity of oil was measured in degrees of rotation. The angle of rotation was
dependent upon the nature of the liquid. In recording rotations the direction by the use of
(+) sign to indicate dextrorotary (rotation to the right i.e. clockwise) or a () sign to
indicate levorotatory (rotation to the left i.e. anti clock wise)
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Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
3.3.3. Refractive index
Refractometer was used for this determination. Few drops of sample was put into funnel
shaped aperture between the prisms of refractometer, closed the prism firmly by
tightening the screw and reading was noted by rotating alidade backward or to forward
until yield of vision was divided into a light and dark portion. Reading was taken as the
refractive index of the sample directly on the scale of the sectors.
3.3.4. Solubility
The number of volumes of dilute alcohol required for the complete solubility of one
volume of oil was calculated as the solubility of the given oil.
3.3.5. Determination of acids
In determining the acid number dilute alkali was used. The acid number of oil was
calculated as the number of milligrams of Potassium hydroxide required neutralizing the
free acids in 1 gm of oil using Phenolphthalein as an indicator.
Acid number: 28.05 x a/S
Where, a= No. of CC of 0.5N NaOH used to neutralize
S= Weight of oil taken in grams
3.3.6. Determination of esters
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Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
Ester number of oil was calculated as the number of milligrams of Potassium hydroxide
required to saponify the esters present in 1 gram of oil.
Ester number: 28.05 x a/S
Where, a= Number of CC of 0.5 NHCL used in saponification.
S= Weight of oil taken in grams.
3.3.7. Determination of ester number after acetylation
The ester number after acetylation was determined as the number of milligrams of
Potassium hydroxide required to saponify the ester present in 1 gram of acetylated
sample.
Ester number after acetylation: 28.05 x a/20 S
Where, a= Number of CC of 0.5N HCL used in saponification
S=Weight of acetylated oil taken in grams.
4. RESULTS
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Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
The organoleptic and physicochemical analysis of wintergreen oil from 3 distillation
units of Dolakha revealed the following results as follows:
4.1. Characteristics
Table 1: Specification of Wintergreen oil
Tests Results
Organoleptic properties
Appearance A fluid liquid
Color Pale yellow or pinkish
Strongly aromatic with a sweet woody odor, displaying a peculiar
Aroma
creamyfruity top note and a sweetwoody dryout
Physicochemical properties
Specific gravity 1.1735 to 1. 1 855 at 25o C.
Optical rotation [] 0.3 o to [] 10.5 o at 25o C
Refractive index 1.537 to 1.5405 at 25o C
Acid number 10 to 25
Ester number 335 to 365
Ester number after
88.8 to 98% (calculated as Methyl salicylate)
acetylation
Solubility Soluble in 2.0 to 3.5 volumes of 80% alcohol
4.2. Active constituents of Wintergreen oil
Juliani et al. (2004) conducted Gas ChromatographyMass Spectroscopy (GCMS) of
wintergreen oil distilled in Lakuri danda VDC of Dolakha. The results of the analysis
revealed that the wintergreen oil was dominated by methyl salicylate (97%) with minor
and traces amounts of monoterpenes (alphapinene, myrcene, delta3carene, and
limonene) and sesquiterpenes (deltacadinene, 3, 7 Guaiadiene).
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Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
Similarly, Baruah and Bhagat (1976) conducted active constituent analysis of Indian
wintergreen oil and found the major constituent as methyl salicylate (99.6%).
Whereas, Clark (1999) reported that wintergreen oil from other related species
(Gaultheria procumbens) were also dominated by methyl salicylate and is the
commercial source of this component.
The table below shows the details of the composition of wintergreen oil distilled in Lakuri
danda VDC, Dolakha.
Table 2: Monoterpene composition of Wintergreen Oil
SN Components %
1 alphapinene 0.4
2 Myrcene 0.2
3 delta3Carene 0.9
4 Limonene 0.5
5 Methyl salicylate 97.4
Total monoterpene 99.4
Table 3: Sesquiterpene composition of Wintergreen oil
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Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
SN Composition %
1 3, 7 Guaiadiene 0.1
2 deltaCadinene 0.3
Total sesquiterpene 0.4
Source: Juliani et al. (2004)
5. CONCLUSION
The composition of oil of Gaultheria fragrantissima was similar to the oil of G.
procumbens, but the Nepalese sample can be an alternative source of the flavoring
agent methyl salicylate.
The study showed that Nepali wintergreen oil showed a great chemical diversity thus
providing new aroma profiles. The chemical diversity found in Nepali wintergreen oil can
be used to open new market opportunities, due to their novel and unique properties.
However, the development of grades and standards as well as quality assurance and
quality control system are key strategies for further development of the oil quality.
5.1. Actions
Analgesic, antiinflammatory, antirheumatic, antitussive, astringent, carminative,
diuretic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, stimulant.
5.2. Uses
5.2.1. Aromatherapeutic uses
Beneficial for muscle and joint discomfort, arthritis, cellulite, obesity, edema, poor
circulation, headache , stimulates liver, heart disease, coronarities crisis and
preventative, hypertension, rheumatism, tendentious, cramps, antiinflammatory, high in
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Analysis of Wintergreen Oil
cortisonelike functions, eczema, hair care, psoriasis, gout, ulcers, broken or bruised
bones.
5.2.2.Other uses
1. Used in some perfumery applications especially in forest type fragrances.
2. Used as a flavoring agent for toothpaste, chewing gum and soft drinks.
References
Baruah, A.K.S. and Bhagat, S.D. 1976. Oil of Indian Wintergreen. Indian Journal of
Pharmacy. 38(2): 5657.
Clark, G. 1999. An Aromachemical Profile. Methyl salicylate, or Oil of Wintergreen.
Perfumer and Flavorist. 24(1): 511.
Guenther E. 1972. The Essential Oils: HistoryOrigin in Plants ProductionAnalysis.
Volume 1. Robert E. Krieger Publishing Company, Huntington, New York.
Juliani R, Moharram H, Wang M and Simon J. 2004. Chemical diversity of Nepalese
Essential oils. In: New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program, Cook
College, Rutgers University, USA.
Lawless J. 1995.Complete Essential Oils: A Guide to the Use of Oils in
Aromatherapy and Herbalism. Element Books Limited.
Manandhar N P. 2002. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon
USA.
Press, J R, K K Shrestha and D A Sutton. 2000. Annotated Checklist of the
Flowering Plants of Nepal. The Natural History Museum, London.
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