Leung's Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

Indonesia, and Africa. Part used is the seed,
which are kidney shaped, grayish brown, and
about 3 mm in diameter. The seeds are traded
as musk grains or musk pods. An aromatic oil
is obtained via steam distillation of the
crushed, dried seeds (CSIR I).

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Compounds isolated from the seed oil include
ambrettolide, (Z)-7-hexadecen-16-olide), am-
brettolic acid, and farnesol as well as 12,13-
epoxyoleic acid, malvalic acid, sterculic acid,
and C 10 –C 18 acids (oleic, palmitic, C 10 ,C 12 ,
C 14 ,C 16 ,C 18 ).^1 (Z)-5-Tetradecen-14-olide,
(Z)-5-dodecenyl acetate, and (Z)-5-tetradece-
nyl acetate were isolated from the absolute in
yields of 0.5%, 0.01%, and 0.4%, respectively;
in addition, 2-trans,6-trans-farnesylacetate,
2-cis,6-trans-farnesylacetate,andoxacyclono-
nadec-10-en-2-one (an ambrettolide homo-
logue) were found in the seed coat. The floral
musky odor of the oil is primarily the result
of ambrettolide and (Z)-5-tetradecen-14-
olide.2,3
Other compounds found in the seeds in-
clude methionine sulfoxide, phospholipids
(a-cephalin, phosphatidylserine, phosphati-
dylserine plasmalogen, and phosphatidylcho-
line plasmalogen);4,5sterols, including cam-
pesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol,
and cholesterol.^6 Sizable amounts of palmitic
and myristic acids may also occur in ambrette
seed oil or concrete, depending on the method
of manufacture (ARCTANDER). The long-chain
fatty acids of the seeds result in a crude
product of a waxy nature (Ambrette beurre);
the fatty acids, removed with alkali, dilute
alcohol, calcium, or lithium salts, produce a
yellow clear to amber liquid that possesses the
musky fragrance of ambrettolide (BAUER).
Yield of the oil is from 0.2% to 0.6%.

TOXICOLOGY

Based on available data, ambrette seed oil and
its major odor principle, ambrettolide, are
nontoxic.^7

USES

Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.

Oil and absolute are used in sophisticated

types of perfumes and in soaps, detergents,

creams, and lotions; maximum use level

reported is 0.12% for the oil in perfumes.^7

The oil is valued for its sweet, rich wine or

brandy-like, floral, musky scent with a un-

ique bouquet and roundness. While resem-

bling animal-derived musk scents, ambrette

seed oil lacks the fecal note sometimes found

in the former (CSIR I); one of the most expen-

sive essential oils.

Food. Ambrette seed and its tincture are

used in preparing vermouths and bitters. The

oil and absolute are also used invermouths and

bitters, but they are more commonly used in

flavoring other types of food products, includ-

ing nonalcoholic beverages, frozen dairy des-

serts, candy, baked goods, and gelatins and

puddings. The use levels are usually very low,

<0.001% (10 ppm).

Traditional Medicine. Reportedly used as a

stimulant and an antispasmodic; used in Chi-

nese medicine to treat headache; in Western

traditions as a folk medicine with stimulant,

aromatic, antispasmodic actions and as an

insecticide for protecting woolen garments

from moths (CSIR I).

Others. The stem bark has been used as a

fiber (78% cellulose) and the root mucilage as

a paper sizing material (CSIR I).

COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONS

Seeds, oil, absolute, concrete, and tincture; oil

is official in F.C.C.

Regulatory Status. Seed GRAS as a natural

flavoring or seasoning in foods (§182.10);

seed essential oil, extractive, and solvent-

free oleoresin GRAS for use in foods

(§182.20).

Ambrette seed 31