Mastic

#### Mastic. Mastic or Mastix is a natural oleo-resin, produced in the very small tree, **Pistacia**** ****Lentiscus**, as a physiological (voluntary) material. In order to obtain the oleoresin, however, it is necessary to make incisions in the trunk. The exuded oleoresin soon solidifies (resinifies), and becomes hard and brittle. **Mastic**** **is produced in various Mediterranean countries, but most of the world production comes from the small Greek island of Chios, just offshore from Izmir in Turkey. Smaller quantities are collected in Algeria, Morocco and the Canary islands. The dry mastic, as we know it, has only a faint, balsamic-turpentine-like odor, but it does contain a small amount of essential oil which can be obtained by steam distillation of the oleoresin. **Mastic**** ****Oil**** **is a pale yellow, mobile liquid or turpentine-like, fresh-balsamic odor. The oil is scarce and comparatively expensive. It is occasionally used in citrus colognes, lavender-fougères, etc. as a topnote ingredient, lending a certain naturalness and bitter-balsamic tonality to these perfume types. The oil is also used in certain types of liqueur flavor. By extraction of the Mastic with alcohol or a hydrocarbon solvent, various types of Mastic Resinoid are produced. These are merely soluble versions of the mastic itself. Hydrocarbons will dissolve up to 98% of natural mastic, while ethyl alcohol dissolves about 85%. The latter solvent produces a resinoid which is safer for use in perfumes where a separation could cause trouble later on. **Mastic**** ****Resinoid**** **(known in France as "résinoide lentisque") is a pale amber colored, hard and brittle mass with an odor quite similar to that of natural mastic. It is an interesting perfume material and a good fixative, e.g. for mimosa compounds where it introduces a certain "twig-odor" effect. It can also be used in straight floral bases to produce a bitter-woody, natural undertone and a good fixation. **Mastic Resinoid **and **Mastic Oil **are scarce materials, but they are available in sufficient quantities to meet present demands. The natural mastic is used extensively in pharmaceutical and technical preparations, varnishes for dentists, etc.