Peru Balsam Resinoid

• 🔎 Botanical name — myroxylon pereirae klotzsch resinoid

• 📂 CAS N° — 8007-00-9

• 📘 FEMA — 2116

• 📝 Odor type — Balsamic

• 📈 Odor Strength — Medium Strength, High Tenacity.

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile — The primary olfactive profile of Peru Balsam is characterized as "balsamic." It emanates a rich, sweet aroma with distinct cinnamic-benzoic notes. Depending on the collection and purification process, a subtle smokiness may be present in the balsam. On drying out, the balsam exhibits an increasing vanillin-like note. This adds a sweet and comforting aspect to its olfactive profile. The balsam carries a slight spiciness, contributing to the complexity of its scent. This spiciness is a part of its deep-sweet character.

• ⚗️ Uses — Peru Balsam is highlighted for its outstanding tenacity in odor, making it one of the best fixatives among natural ingredients. This quality ensures that the fragrance lingers for an extended period. The versatility of Peru Balsam is notable, allowing it to blend well with various fragrance categories. It complements floral, balsamic, and spicy notes, offering a wide range of possibilities for perfumers. Peru Balsam blends excellently with other fragrance components such as cinnamic alcohol, heliotropine, ionones, isoeugenol, linalool, nitromusks, petitgrain oil, patchouli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, and more. Its adaptability makes it a valuable addition to various perfume compositions.

Arctander's elucidation on Balsam Peru, or Peruvian Balsam, provides a comprehensive insight into this natural resinous balsam. Constituting a blend of essential oil and resin, it falls under the oleo-resin category, primarily comprising high-boiling esters of benzoic and cinnamic acids, contributing to its distinctive balsamic character.

Derived pathologically from the trunk of the Central American tree, Myroxylon Pereirae, the extraction process is notably crude, involving local purification with boiling water. The utilization of knives, hatchets, or blowtorches during collection can introduce a discernible "smoky" note, further compounded by primitive purification conditions.

Predominantly sourced from El Salvador, Peru Balsam manifests as a dark brown, viscous liquid with a rich, sweet, and cinnamic-benzoic odor. While almost entirely soluble in perfume alcohol, it exhibits partial solubility in petroleum ether, finding compatibility with chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents. The balsam's flavor, persistently bitter and warm, contrasts with its pleasing olfactory profile.

The essential oil derived from Peru Balsam, whether as an absolute or false resinoid, boasts a balsamic, deep-sweet aroma with a subtle smokiness. Renowned for exceptional tenacity, it serves as a premier fixative in the realm of essential oils.

Versatility defines Peru Balsam oil's application in perfumery, seamlessly blending with floral, balsamic, or spicy notes. Its compatibility extends to diverse fragrance types, enhancing undertones in floral bases, contributing to the sweetness of wood-type fragrances, and imparting depth to various scent profiles.

Synergizing seamlessly with an array of fragrance components such as cinnamic alcohol, heliotropine, ionones, and more, Peru Balsam's applications extend beyond its raw form. However, its dark color poses challenges in perfumery, prompting considerations for potential insolubility issues.

In medicinal applications, where Peru Balsam is valued for dermatological effects, Arctander recommends mixing it with castor oil to prevent resin separation. Although not extensively used in flavors due to its bitter taste, Peru Balsam may find subtle applications in chocolate flavors.

Arctander cautions against potential adulterations, flagging benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, benzyl alcohol, and other solvents as possible contaminants. Vigilance is required to ensure the integrity of this esteemed essential oil in both perfumery and medicinal contexts.

Attribution: Maša Sinreih in Valentina Vivod, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons