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Physico Chemical Properties:
Colour = Light Yellow to brown in colour
Specific Gravity at 25˚C = 0.970 to 1.035
Refractive Index at 25˚C = 1.5000 to 1.5700
Optical Rotation = +10˚ to +30˚
Acit No. = 8 to 20
Flash Point = 120˚C
Main constituents:
Aplotaxene. Costus Acid, Costol, Lactone, Dihydro Costus lactone.
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Steam distilled oil from the dried roots of Sassurea lappa.
Cultivated in H.P. at Labul & Spiti Distt. in about 500 hct. area. Costus
concrete and costus absolute is also manufactured by Solvent extraction followed
by Alcoholic extraction.
Uses and Advance Studies:
Small concentrations of the induce warm, woody and natural
notes to perfumes such as oriental bases, chypers, violet bases and certain
floral perfumes and many types of aldehydic themes. Costus oil has the peculiar
ability to produce diffusive power and intriguing top-notes and at the same time
ti works effectively as a fixative of unusual tenacity (Arctander, 1960). Costus
Root Oil is one of the best fixative. According to Guenther(1952) it blends well
with sandal, vetiver, patchouly, rose and violet, imparting to them unique and
alluring tonalities which are difficult to trace.Essential oil of Costus roots
is used in high grade perfumers and that too in small quantities otherwise
effect would be unpleasant (Guenther, 1952). Besides the above qualities, oil of
Costus root has strong antiseptic and disinfectant properties especially against
Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. It has marked carmintive properties. It
inhibits peristaltic movement of the gut and produces relaxation. Injection of
the oil produces vasodilation in the splanchnic area and produces a definite
stimulant action on circulation. It is absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract
and partly excreted by lungs. It owes to insecticidial property of this
essential oil (Chopra, 1958)
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