pine oil

Pine oil is a complex essential oil derived from various species of pine trees, typically extracted by steam distillation of pine wood and needles. It appears as a viscous, oily liquid with a characteristic herbal aroma that combines forest, citrus, and pine scent notes. Known by many synonyms including dertol, white pine oil, and oleum pini, it is categorized as a natural essential oil and linked in chemical databases such as PubChem. This oil finds uses primarily in the fragrance industry due to its distinctive spicy-green aroma. It consists of multiple terpene and resin components, contributing to its complex scent and physicochemical behavior. Typically sourced from coniferous forests, pine oil's production involves sustainable extraction from pine wood residues.

Pine oil naturally occurs in several pine species where it serves defensive and communicative biological functions. It is valued for its aromatic properties and extensively employed as a fragrance agent in perfumery, household cleaners, and personal care products. The oil imparts fresh, herbal, forest-like notes that enhance citrus and wood fragrance accords. According to the IFRA (Global) Code of Practice, pine oil is primarily restricted to non-flavor uses due to regulatory safety guidelines; it is typically not added as a flavoring ingredient. Its applications take advantage of its solubility in alcohol and partial solubility in water, facilitating effective formulation in various consumer products. Synthetic variants exist to supplement supply and maintain consistent quality.

Pine oil is characterized by moderate volatility and a viscous liquid state at ambient temperatures. It demonstrates good solubility in alcohol solvents, enabling its use in tinctures and perfumes, while water solubility is limited but estimated at approximately 1186 mg/L at 25°C. Its chemical complexity arises from multiple terpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated terpenoids, which influence its odor profile and substantivity, reported up to 16 hours. The oil’s moderate hydrophobicity supports blending with other aromatic compounds but restricts aqueous applications. These properties require careful consideration during formulation to balance fragrance intensity and stability under typical storage and usage conditions.

Canada Domestic Sub. List:	8002-09-3
Pubchem (sid):	135279345

FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS):	View
FDA Indirect Additives used in Food Contact Substances:	View
Export Tariff Code:	3301.29.6000
Wikipedia:	View
FAO:	BASIC PRINCIPLES OF STEAM DISTILLATION

Safety information

Hazards identification
Classification of the substance or mixture
GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)
None found.
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram
Hazard statement(s)
None found.
Precautionary statement(s)
None found.
Oral/Parenteral Toxicity:
oral-rat LD50 3200 mg/kg Food and Chemical Toxicology. Vol. 21, Pg. 875, 1983. oral-man TDLo 4700 mg/kg BEHAVIORAL: EXCITEMENT BEHAVIORAL: ATAXIA BEHAVIORAL: HEADACHE Archives of Toxicology. Vol. 49, Pg. 73, 1981.
Dermal Toxicity:
skin-rabbit LD50 5000 mg/kg Food and Chemical Toxicology. Vol. 21, Pg. 875, 1983.
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined

Safety in use information

Category:
fragrance agents
RIFM Fragrance Material Safety Assessment: Search
IFRA Code of Practice Notification of the 49th Amendment to the IFRA Code of Practice
Recommendation for pine oil flavor usage levels up to:
	not for flavor use.

Safety references

EPI System: View

Toxicology Citations:Search

EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):8002-09-3

EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data

WISER:UN 1272

Chemidplus:0008002093

EPA/NOAA CAMEO:hazardous materials