Juniper Oil

Dhoopchandan ka tail, Juniperus communis 

Juniper oil is the essential oil obtained by steam distillation of dried, crushed or slightly dried ripe berries of Juniperus communis (Fam. Cupressaceae). 

Juniper oil contains not less than 20.0 per cent and not more than 50.0 per cent of  α- pinene, and not less than 1.0 per cent and not more than 12.0 per cent of β-pinene and not less than 2.0 per cent and not more than 12.0 per cent of limonene.

Category. Cleansing agent, analgesic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic. 

Description. A clear, pale yellow to dark yellow liquid, free from sediment and suspended matter. 

Identification 

2. Determine by gas chromatography (2.4.13).

Test solution. A 2.0 per cent w/v solution of the oil under examination in ethanol (95 per cent). 

Reference solution. A 2.0 per cent w/v solution of Juniper oil RS in ethanol (95 per cent). 

Use chromatographic system described under Assay. 

The peaks in the chromatogram obtained with the test solution correspond to the peaks in the chromatogram obtained with the reference solution. 

2. Flash point (2.4.44). 42.17° to 44.49°

Tests

Relative density (2.4.29). 0.857 to 0.876.

Refractive index (2.4.27). 1.471 to 1.483.

Optical rotation (2.4.22). -15° to -0.5°.

Assay. Determine by gas chromatography (2.4.13). 

Test solution. A 2.0 per cent w/v solution of the oil under examination in ethanol (95 per cent). 

Reference solution(a). A 2.0 per cent w/v solution of α- pinene RS in ethanol (95 per cent). 

Reference solution (b). A 2.0 per cent w/v solution of β- pinene RS in ethanol (95 per cent). 

Reference solution (c). A 2.0 per cent w/v solution of limonene.RS in ethanol (95 per cent). 

Chromatographic system 

– a capillary column 30 m x 0.25 mm, coated with methyl 5 per cent phenylpolysiloxane,

– temperature:

   column. 60° for 1 minute, increase from 60° to 230° at a rate of 10° per minute, and   

   maintaine at this temperature for 20 minutes,

– inlet port at 250º and detector at 250º,

–  detection by flame ionization detector,

– flow rate 2.0 ml per minute using helium as carrier gas,

– injection volume: 0.5µl,

– split ratio: 1:50.

Inject the reference solutions (a),(b) ,(c) and the test solution.

Calculate the content of α-pinene, β-pinene and limonene in the oil using area normalization procedure. 

Storage. Store protect from light and moisture.