Abstract:
Selective extraction with methanol of uncrushed ambrette seeds grown in India and liquid-liquid extraction of the residue afforded a volatile concentrate in 0.33% yield free from the fatty acids and off-notes associated with a steam-distilled oil. Analysis by GC and GUMS revealed that it contained (E)-beta-farnesene (9.8%), (E,E)-alpha-farnesene (7.3%), decyl acetate (6%), dodecyl acetate (4.8%), (Z,E)-farnesyl acetate (3.8%), (E,E)-farnesyl acetate (50.5%), 5(Z)-tetradecenolide (1.3%), 7-(Z)-hexadecenolide (9.3%) and 9-(Z)-octadecenolide (1.2%) as major components constituting 93% of the oil.