tolu balsam oil

Tolu balsam oil is a natural volatile oil derived from the exudate of the bark of the balsam tolu tree, Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms, a member of the legume family. This oil is recognized for its distinctive balsamic scent characterized by sweet, resinous, peppery, fruity, and spicy nuances, including a cinnamyl note. It is also known under various synonyms such as balsam tolu oil, Myroxylon balsamum balsam oil, and Myroxylon toluiferum L. oil. This balsam oil is commonly obtained through steam distillation of the resinous exudate. It is referenced in controlled-vocabulary sources including PubChem. The oil serves as a valuable ingredient in flavor and fragrance formulations due to its unique odor profile and solubility characteristics.

Tolu balsam oil occurs naturally as an exudate from the bark of the balsam tolu tree, Myroxylon balsamum. Its presence is primarily limited to natural sources of this South American origin tree. The oil finds application predominantly as a flavor and fragrance agent. Its balsamic aroma renders it suitable for use in products designed to impart sweet, resinous, and spicy notes reminiscent of cinnamon and clove. It is widely used in perfuming agents and flavor formulations to evoke scents such as gardenia, honeysuckle, leather, stephanotis, tobacco, and tuberose. The use of tolu balsam oil aligns with safety standards including FEMA (US) guidelines, which classify it under flavoring agents with generally recognized-as-safe status, while also noting restriction levels on certain constituents to manage sensitization risk.

Tolu balsam oil exhibits solubility in alcohol, facilitating its incorporation into alcohol-based formulations and perfumes, while remaining insoluble in water. These solvent interactions affect its volatility and distribution in formulated products. The oil does not have a specified molecular formula here but is known to contain constituents such as cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamaldehyde, and eugenol, which contribute to its characteristic balsamic and spicy aroma. The physical nature as a volatile oil results in evaporation and diffusion properties relevant to sensory delivery in both flavor and fragrance applications. These properties influence its blending behavior and stability in mixtures.

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:
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:
Sensitization
contains the following IFRA (Annex) restricted components: (non-analysis max. level reference only)
cinnamyl alcohol	Max. Found:
cinnamaldehyde	Max. Found:
eugenol	Max. Found:
Recommendation for tolu balsam oil usage levels up to:
	4.0000 % in the fragrance concentrate.
Use levels for FEMA GRAS flavoring substances on which the FEMA Expert Panel based its judgments that the substances are generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
The Expert Panel also publishes separate extensive reviews of scientific information on all FEMA GRAS flavoring substances and can be found at FEMA Flavor Ingredient Library
publication number: 3
Click here to view publication 3
		average usual ppm	average maximum ppm
baked goods:		-	8.00000
beverages(nonalcoholic):		-	2.60000
beverages(alcoholic):		-	-
breakfast cereal:		-	-
cheese:		-	-
chewing gum:		-	-
condiments / relishes:		-	-
confectionery froastings:		-	-
egg products:		-	-
fats / oils:		-	-
fish products:		-	-
frozen dairy:		-	13.00000
fruit ices:		-	13.00000
gelatins / puddings:		-	-
granulated sugar:		-	-
gravies:		-	-
hard candy:		-	5.20000
imitation dairy:		-	-
instant coffee / tea:		-	-
jams / jellies:		-	-
meat products:		-	-
milk products:		-	-
nut products:		-	-
other grains:		-	-
poultry:		-	-
processed fruits:		-	-
processed vegetables:		-	-
reconstituted vegetables:		-	-
seasonings / flavors:		-	-
snack foods:		-	-
soft candy:		-	-
soups:		-	-
sugar substitutes:		-	-
sweet sauces:		-	-

Safety references

Daily Med:search

Toxicology Citations:Search

EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):8024-03-1

EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data

SCCNFP:opinion

WGK Germany:3

myroxylon toluiferum l. oil

Chemidplus:0008024031