Lavandin Absolute from Distillation Water

#### Lavandin Absolute from Distillation Water. Since **Lavandin**** ****Oil**** **has become such an important article, produced in quantities of about 1000 metric tons per year, the steam distillation of this oil must obviously be carried out with due respect to yield, cost of production, loss, etc. And since **Lavandin Oil **is a comparatively recent shoot on the perfume tree (the oil was practically unknown 30 years ago), it is usually distilled in very modern stills. Some of these stills have a capacity of 20 tons of plant material. In such a large-scale operation, certain by-products often add up to significant quantities, and, if they are interesting, they may be recovered economically. **Lavandin Oil **contains small amounts of water- soluble components, and in a 20-ton still the amount of odorous substance dissolved in the distillation waters is quite significant. Most **Lavandin**** **distillers also have extraction facilities (petroleum ether or benzene), and this is why we have seen Lavandin **Absolute from Distillation Water **appear on the perfumery market recently. The distillation waters are extracted with petroleum ether or benzene, and the extract, free from solvent, can subsequently be extracted with alcohol to produce an absolute. The alcohol- washing process is sometimes omitted. The latter extract is a pale green, mobile liquid (unlike lavandin absolute from concrète) of a peculiar woody, somewhat dry, non-floral lavender type of odor. Like other water-absolutes, it is distinguished by the complete absence of terpenes. Accordingly, its solubility in diluted ethyl alcohol is excellent. **Lavandin Absolute from Distillation Water **is used in colognes, fougères, lavender "waters", and other non-floral fragrances. It blends well with clove and other spice oils, bergamot, oakmoss, sage clary, cypress, labdanum, amylsalicylate, coumarins, linalool, isobornylacetate, etc. The water-absolute can even replace or support the effect of high-grade **Lavender Oil **in certain perfume compositions. Lavandin "Water Absolute" is an interesting perfume material and it should have a solid future in creative perfumery as well as a possible application in the reproduction of other essential oils. The production of **Lavandin "Water Absolute" **is limited, but can be adjusted to demand with due notice. In this connection it is worthwhile noting that **Lavandin**** ****Oil**** **is produced only once a year. If there is no "water-absolute" available in November, there will be no possibility of buying this material for another 8 months or so.