THE CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS - IFEAT

INDIAN CALAMUS OILThe botanical name of the species is Acoruscalamus. Its essential oil is obtained bydistillation of the dried rhizome of Acoruscalamus resulting in a yield of 2% to 4%.It is found in waterlogged or marshy areas,particularly on the banks of rivers, small streams,ponds and lakes. It is both cultivated and foundwild.! Acorus calamus! Habitat! ProcessingIndian Calamus Oil! ProductionPhysiochemical PropertiesColour : Yellow to brown in colourSpecific Density at 20 0 C : 1.0750 to 1.0785Refractive Index at 25 0 C : 1.5400 to 1.5500Optical Rotation : +3 0 to InactiveFlash Point : 127 0 C (Closed Cup Method)Main ConstituentsThe main constituents of Indian calamus oils are:• # Asarone• " Asarone• Calamenol• Calamene• Calameone• Methyleugenol• Eugenol• " - Pinene & CampheneUsesThe oil is employed in perfumery, because of its peculiar, warm and somewhat spicy odour, it blendswell with neem oil and cedar wood oil as a room sprayer against household insects. Indian calamus oilhas been restricted by IFRA due to the high percentage of Asarone in fragrance. A high concentration(0.5%) of #-Asarone has been shown to be positive in Ames mutagenic test following activation(WHO-FAS, 1981)70