Terpeneless Oil

Name:
Terpeneless Oil
Detailed information:
An essential oil from which the terpene components have been removed by extraction and fractionation, either alone or in combination. The optical activity of the oil is thus reduced. The terpeneless grades are much more highly concentrated than the original oil (15–30 times). Removal of terpenes is necessary to inhibit spoilage, particularly of oils derived from citrus sources. On atmospheric oxidation the specific terpenes form compounds that impair the value of the oil; for example, d-limonene oxidizes to carvone and γ-terpinene to p-cymene. Terpeneless grades of citrus oils are commercially available.