Jasmine Sambac absolute

Other comments :

While Jasminum grandiflorum L. (Jasmine Grandiflorum Absolute) has been used by perfumers since the beginning of perfumery, Jasminum sambac L. only gained popularity in the 1980s. Although the absolute is produced in relatively large volumes compared to other flowers, it represents only a small part of the global market for jasmine (~10%). Indeed, the main part of the flowers are reserved for religious ceremonies, decoration, divine offers, ornaments, or in women's hairstyles. This flower is also the queen of weddings.
In Sanskrit, one of India's official languages, ''Sambac '' means ''hauting perfume. '' Jasmine is also the national flower of Indonesia, despite cultivation there is quite rare.
The cultivation of Jasminum sambac L. is subject to thrips invasions (small insects attacking the leaves), moths, and nematodes (attacking the roots).

The scent of Jasminum sambac L. is greener due to its high level of Farnesene. The scent of Egyptian jasmine is more fruity and sweet. Indian jasmine, on the other hand, is more jammy, gourmand and petal-like.

Stability :

Terpens found in this extract are subjected to polymerization under high oxydation.
Esters found in this extract may form their corresponding acid under the effect of heat.
The presence of Methyl Anthranilate can cause coloration of the extract when in contact with aldehydes and ketones, forming Schiff bases.

Uses in perfumery :

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Chemotypes :

In perfumery, two varieties of jasmine are mainly used:
Jasminum grandiflorum L. (Jasmine Grandiflorum Absolute / Jasmine Grandiflorum Concrete) found for example in Grasse or Egypt.
Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton (Jasmine Sambac Absolute / Jasmine Sambac Concrete) mostly cultivated in India.
These two varieties are easily recognizable as grandiflorum has large and rounded flowers while those of sambac are thinner and longer.

Two other species are also grown for perfumery, in smaller proportions:
Jasminum asteroides
Jasminum auriculatum Vahl (Jasmine Auriculatum Absolute / Jasmine Auriculatum Concrete) mainly cultivated in India.

Extraction process :

The jasmine sambac flower, also known as ''White gold '' in India, is usually harvested from March to September. These flowers are handpicked at sunrise and must be processed within the day because once separated from the shrub, they can only survive for a few hours. The flower buds are then transported to the factory, and a resting phase of approximately 1 to 2 hours allows for the aeration and opening of the buds. At this moment, the jasmine flowers can be processed.
Formerly extracted using the enfleurage technique, the flower is now mainly processed with volatile solvents. This extraction is carried out using hexane. The flowers macerate in the solvent for 10 to 12 hours until exhausted. They are then removed from the extractor, and the solvent is evaporated. This produces a waxy, greenish-orange paste, the Jasmine Sambac Concrete (yielding 0.1 to 0.2% from fresh flowers).
In most cases, the extraction does not stop there and goes on to obtain the Jasmin Sambac Absolute through a succession of steps: alcohol glazing, wax filtration, and alcohol evaporation. The yield of such a product is then less than 0.1% from fresh flowers.
At this stage, molecular distillation may practiced to match regulatory or olfactory requirement. The result is a Jasmin Sambac Absolute DM.
As is the case with many flowers, the harvesting period has a significant influence on the scent. For Jasmin Sambac, it is known that jasmine flowers harvested in spring (March-May) are much greener and more vibrant because of an higher farnesene content , while those harvested in autumn (September-October) are more animalic and dense because of indole content.

Geographic origin :

Data not available.