EXTRACTION OF ESSENTIAL OIL FROM FLOWERS OF MESUA FERREA LINN. GC-MS ANALYSIS AND INCORPORATION IN COSMETIC PRODUCT.

Mesua ferrea Linn. is a flowering tree found in Western Ghats of India, belonging to family Clusiaceae. Extraction process was standardized by cold maceration method with n-hexane. Essential oil extracted from different parts of the flower was also subjected to GC/MS and headspace analysis. The GC/MS analysis of essential oils from whole flowers of M. ferrea shows following components. Alpha-Copaene (13.52%), Trans-Alpha-Bergamotene (09.12%), Benzoate Geranyle-1 (09.82%), and Dioctyl Phtalate (20.21%), where as essential oil extracted from the petals of M. ferrea contained Alpha-Copaene (22.72%), Trans-Alpha-Bergamotene (17.42%), and Dicotyl Terephthalate (13.90%). The major components identified in stamens of the flowers by headspace technology were Alpha Copaene (28.49%), Beta caryophyllene (5.98%), Trans-Beta-Farnesene (9.24%), Trans-Alpha-Bargamotene (30.91%), and Alpha Bisabolene (5.15%) where as in petal of the flowers were Alpha Copaene (27.40%), Beta Selinene (5.18%), Trans-Alpha-Bargamotene (31.56%), Alpha Bisabolene (6.06%). The essential oils extracted from M. ferrea were also subjected to olfactory evaluation and was incorporated in cosmetic products (Hair oil, Massage oil and Body cream).