Overview
ISO 3525:2008 specifies quality characteristics and test requirements for oil of amyris (Amyris balsamifera L.), an essential oil mainly distilled from the wood of Amyris balsamifera (Rutaceae), typically from Haiti. The standard is intended to facilitate consistent assessment of amyris essential oil quality by defining organoleptic properties, physical constants, chromatographic profile requirements and test methods (referencing relevant ISO methods).
Key Topics
- Appearance & odour: Clear, slightly viscous liquid; pale yellow to amber yellow; characteristic woody odour.
- Physical constants:
- Relative density at 20 °C: 0.946 – 0.978
- Refractive index at 20 °C: 1.504 – 1.512
- Optical rotation at 20 °C: +20° to +45°
- Miscibility: Must form a clear solution with up to 3 volumes of 80% (v/v) ethanol per 1 volume of oil (opalescence may occur on further solvent addition).
- Acid value: Maximum 3.0.
- Chromatographic profile (normative): Gas chromatography is required. The integrator percentages for representative constituents must fall within specified ranges (examples):
- Elemol 5.0–15.0%, Valerianol 15.0–35.0%, 10-γ-epi-Eudesmol 6.0–12.0%, γ‑Eudesmol 4.0–12.0%, α‑Eudesmol 3.0–9.0%, 7‑α‑epi‑Eudesmol 7.0–15.0%, β‑Eudesmol 2.5–11.0%, Drimenol 0.7–5.0%.
- Flashpoint (informative): Mean value > 100 °C (information provided in Annex B; Pensky-Martens equipment noted).
Applications
ISO 3525:2008 is used for:
- Quality control in essential oil production and refining (producers, distillers).
- Specification and sourcing by perfumers, fragrance houses, cosmetic manufacturers and suppliers to verify batch conformity.
- Analytical laboratories performing GC-based profiling and physical tests to certify product identity and purity.
- Procurement, regulatory and transport safety assessments where standardized properties (density, refractive index, acid value, flashpoint information) support handling, labelling and contractual quality clauses.
Related Standards
ISO 3525:2008 references and relies on other ISO methods for sampling and testing, including:
This standard is essential for anyone needing a reproducible, accepted specification for the identification, quality assessment and commercial use of oil of amyris.