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Essential oils are
defined as volatile. Oils obtained by steam distillation of the
part of the plant which contain the essential oils. These oils
are quite different from vegetable oils. They are highly
volatile and odorous. They are insoluble in water but soluble in
alcohol, ether and vegetable oils.
Essential oils occur in all parts of the plant i.e. leaves,
flowers, twig, bark, wood, root and resins.
The chemical composition of the oil produced in the plants,
which determine their fragrance depends upon the soil, altitude,
temperature and humidity to which the plants are exposed while
cultivation. |
