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birch tar oil
Birch tar oil is a rectified essential oil with a strong smoky, phenolic odor used primarily as a flavor and fragrance agent derived from Betula species.
General Material Description
Birch tar oil is a rectified essential oil obtained by pyrolysis and subsequent purification of wood or bark from various Betula species, including Betula pendula. It presents as a viscous, dark liquid characterized by a potent smoky and phenolic odor, often described as leathery and slightly spicy. Synonyms include betula pendula roth tar oil, birch EO rectified, and white birch oil among others. This material is listed under CAS number 8001-88-5 and can be referenced in controlled vocabularies such as PubChem. Birch tar oil is typically sourced through the destructive distillation of birch wood or bark, a process that yields an oil rich in aromatic phenolic compounds. This profile makes it valuable in perfumery and flavor industries where smoky and woody notes are desired.
Occurrence, Applicability & Potential Uses
Birch tar oil occurs naturally in the wood and bark of white birch trees (Betula species). It is commonly extracted via pyrolysis, a thermal decomposition method that breaks down wood material to release tarry, aromatic essential oils. In commercial and industrial applications, birch tar oil serves predominantly as a flavor and fragrance agent. Its smoky and phenolic odor profile lends itself to the creation of leather, woody, and spicy accords in perfumery. Usage extends to flavoring, where it imparts burnt and smoke nuances in various formulations. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) (Global) standard governs its safe use, mandating the use of only rectified oils with minimized polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to reduce carcinogenic risk. Birch tar oil is also utilized in fantasy fragrance blends and scents evoking peau d'espagne and similar classic leather aromas.
Physico-Chemical Properties Summary
Birch tar oil exhibits a specific gravity ranging from 1.13 to 1.35 at 25 °C and a refractive index between 1.522 and 1.59 at 20 °C, indicative of its dense, oily nature. It has a relatively high flash point of 154 °C, suggesting moderate flammability under normal handling conditions. The oil is soluble in alcohol and shows minimal water solubility. Its complex mixture contains phenolic and aromatic compounds responsible for its long-lasting smoky scent, with substantive odor persistence estimated around 400 hours at full concentration. These physicochemical properties influence formulation considerations, requiring compatibility with solvents and attention to flammability and potential irritancy during handling. Stability is generally acceptable in various consumer product matrices such as shampoos and hair sprays, although appropriate protective measures are necessary due to its irritant nature.
FAQ
What is birch tar oil and how is it produced?
Birch tar oil is a rectified essential oil derived from the pyrolysis or destructive distillation of wood or bark from birch trees, particularly Betula pendula and related species. This process involves heating the organic material in the absence of oxygen, producing a tar-like oil rich in phenolic and aromatic compounds. The oil is then purified or rectified to remove impurities and reduce hazardous components such as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The final product has a smoky, leathery aroma with phenolic characteristics.
Where is birch tar oil commonly used, and what are its sensory properties?
Birch tar oil is widely used as a flavor and fragrance ingredient. Its sensory profile features a strong smoky, burnt wood odor combined with leathery and slightly spicy phenolic notes. This aromatic complexity makes it suitable for recreating leather, woody, and smoky accords in perfumes and personal care products. In flavor formulations, it is employed to impart burnt and smoky nuances. The oil is valued for its long-lasting odor substantivity, maintaining scent presence for several hundred hours at full strength.
What regulations and safety guidelines apply to birch tar oil usage?
Birch tar oil use is regulated particularly by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) (Global), which mandates the use of only rectified oils with low levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons to limit carcinogenic risks. The oil is classified as a combustible liquid and irritant to eyes, skin, and respiratory systems according to OSHA standards. Safety precautions include avoiding inhalation of vapors, contact with skin or eyes, and keeping the material away from ignition sources. The recommended maximum concentration in fragrance concentrates is 0.5%. Protective equipment and adequate ventilation are advised during handling, and proper storage is required to maintain stability and reduce hazards.
US / EU / FDA / JECFA / FEMA / Scholar / Patents
| Google Scholar | Start search |
| Google Books | Start search |
| Google Patents | Start search |
| Perfumer & Flavorists | Start search |
| EU Patents | Start search |
| PubMeb | Start search |
| NCBI | Start search |
Literature & References
| Publications by PubMed | |
| Sesquiterpenes from the inner bark of the silver birch and the paper birch. | |
| Essential Oil of Betula pendula Roth. Buds. | |
Other Information
| FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS): | View |
| Export Tariff Code: | 3301.29.6000 |
| Wikipedia: | View |
| FAO: | BASIC PRINCIPLES OF STEAM DISTILLATION |
General Material Information
| Preferred name | birch tar oil |
| Trivial Name | Oils, birch-tar |
| Short Description | betula pendula roth tar oil |
| CAS Number | 8001-88-5 |
| Deleted CAS Number | 61789-93-3 |
| FDA UNII | 7JK2RXJ8G7 |
| FDA Mainterm | 8001-88-5 ; BIRCH TAR, OIL (BETULA PENDULA ROTH AND RELATED BETULA SPP.) |
| Synonyms |
|
Suppliers
PhysChem Properties
| Material listed in food chemical codex | No |
| Specific gravity | @ 25 °C |
| Pounds per Gallon | 9.403 to 11.233 |
| Refractive Index | 1.522 to 1.59 @ 20 °C |
| Flash Point TCC Value | 67.78 °C TCC |
| Solubility | |
| alcohol | Yes |
| water, 0.0001726 mg/L @ 25 °C (est) | Yes |
| Stability | |
| detergent | Unspecified |
| hair spray | Unspecified |
| powder | Unspecified |
| shampoo | Unspecified |
Organoleptic Properties
| Odor Type: Smoky | |
| smoky, woody burnt wood, leathery, phenolic | |
| Odor strength | high , recommend smelling in a 1.00 % solution or less |
| Substantivity | 400 hour(s) at 100.00 % |
| Luebke, William tgsc, (1982) | At 1.00 % in dipropylene glycol. smoky burnt wood leathery phenolic |
| General comment | Phenolic, burn, aromatic, slightly spicy |
Occurrences
| (data available) |
Potential Uses
| Applications | |
| Odor purposes | Castoreum , Civet , Fern , Fig , Leather , Leather russian leather , Woody |
| Flavoring purposes | Burnt , Smoke |
| Other purposes | Fantasy blends , Peau d'espagne |
Safety Information
Safety information
| European information : | |
| Most important hazard(s): | |
| Xi - Irritant | |
| R 36/37/38 - Irritating to eyes, respiratory system, and skin. S 02 - Keep out of the reach of children. S 26 - In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. S 36 - Wear suitable protective clothing. | |
| Hazards identification | |
| Classification of the substance or mixture | |
| GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS) | |
| Flammable liquids (Category 4), H227 Skin irritation (Category 2), H315 Eye irritation (Category 2A), H319 Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure (Category 3), Respiratory system, H335 | |
| GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements | |
| Pictogram |  |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statement(s) | |
| H227 - Combustible liquid H315 - Causes skin irritation H319 - Causes serious eye irritation H335 - May cause respiratory irritation | |
| Precautionary statement(s) | |
| P210 - Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. — No smoking. P261 - Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. P264 - Wash skin thouroughly after handling. P271 - Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. P280 - Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P302 + P352 - IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of soap and water. P304 + P340 - IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and Keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. P305 + P351 + P338 - IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. P312 - Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell. P332 + P313 - IF SKIN irritation occurs: Get medical advice/attention. P337 + P313 - IF eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention. P362 - Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. P370 + P378 - In case of fire: Use dry sand, dry chemical or alcohol-resistant foam for extinction. P403 + P233 - Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed. P403 + P235 - Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool. P405 - Store locked up. P501 - Dispose of contents/ container to an approved waste disposal plant. | |
| Oral/Parenteral Toxicity: | |
| Not determined | |
| Dermal Toxicity: | |
| Not determined | |
| Inhalation Toxicity: | |
| Not determined | |
Safety in use information
| Category: | |||
| flavor and fragrance agents | |||
| RIFM Fragrance Material Safety Assessment: Search | |||
| IFRA Code of Practice Notification of the 49th Amendment to the IFRA Code of Practice | |||
| IFRA Critical Effect: | |||
| Carcinogenicity, genotoxicity | |||
| IFRA fragrance material specification: | |||
Crude birch wood (bark) pyrolysates (oils) derived by pyrolysis (destructive distillation) of the wood or bark of Betula Pubescens, Betula Pendula, Betula Lenta or Betula Alba should not be used as a fragrance ingredient. Only rectified (purified) birch tar oils being in compliance with the below limitations for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons should be used. Limit content of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) resulting from the use of rectified oils according to Good Manufacturing Practice. If used alone or in combination with rectified cade oil, benzopyrene and 1,2-benzanthracene are to be used as markers for PAHs. The total concentration of both of these should not exceed 1 ppb in the final product. | |||
| contains the following IFRA (Annex) restricted components: (non-analysis max. level reference only) | |||
| dihydroeugenol | Max. Found: 0.9 % and Reason: Sensitization | ||
| View the IFRA Standard | |||
| Recommendation for birch tar oil usage levels up to: | |||
| 0.5000 % in the fragrance concentrate. | |||
Safety references
| EPI System: View |
| AIDS Citations:Search |
| Cancer Citations:Search |
| Toxicology Citations:Search |
| EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):8001-88-5 |
| EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data |
| EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry |
| National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data |
| WGK Germany:3 |
| betula pendula roth tar oil |
| Chemidplus:0008001885 |
| RTECS:DW3000000 for cas# 8001-88-5 |