lime oil distilled africa

Lime oil distilled Africa is a natural essential oil extracted from the peel of Citrus aurantifolia Swingle fruits harvested and distilled primarily in African regions such as Ivory Coast. It is classified chemically as a citrus essential oil, renowned for its characteristic fresh, sharp lime aroma and flavor profiles. This oil appears as a volatile liquid that is highly soluble in alcohol but practically insoluble in water. In flavor and fragrance industries, it serves as a key ingredient owing to its intense citrus notes and aromatic qualities. The material is synonymous with terms including distilled lime oil and oils, lime. More detailed chemical and safety profile information is catalogued under public databases, such as PubChem. The oil is typically obtained through steam distillation of lime peels, a process that preserves its key aromatic compounds for subsequent use in various consumer products.

Lime oil distilled Africa naturally occurs in the peel of Citrus aurantifolia fruits, which grow in tropical and subtropical climates, notably in regions of Africa including the Ivory Coast. Its distinctive citrus aroma and flavor make it a valuable component in flavoring agents and fragrance formulations. The oil is commonly applied in food and beverage flavorings, perfumery, and cosmetic products where a fresh lime note is desired. According to FEMA (US), lime oil and its constituents are recognized for use as flavoring substances where they contribute to citrus flavor profiles. Additionally, the material is employed in formulations subject to IFRA (Global) guidelines addressing phototoxicity for safe topical application. Its role in product design extends to enhancing sensory characteristics and masking undesirable odors.

Lime oil distilled Africa features physicochemical properties typical of citrus essential oils. Its volatile nature and solubility profile reveal that it readily dissolves in alcohol but is practically insoluble in water, influencing its behavior in aqueous formulations. The oil’s composition includes phototoxic components such as bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen), imposing limits on concentration in skin-exposed products under IFRA (Global) standards to mitigate phototoxic reactions. It exhibits low oral and dermal toxicity, with reported LD50 values exceeding 5000 mg/kg in animal models. The oil’s chemical stability and aroma retention are reliable under recommended storage conditions, making it suitable for incorporation into diverse flavor and fragrance systems requiring citrus notes.

FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS):	View
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 > 5000 mg/kg Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. Vol. 12, Pg. 729, 1974.
Dermal Toxicity:
skin-rabbit LD50 > 5000 mg/kg Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. Vol. 12, Pg. 729, 1974.
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:
Phototoxicity
IFRA fragrance material specification:
	Where the bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen) content of all relevant oils present in a compound has been determined, it is recommended that for applications on areas of skin exposed to sunshine, excluding bath preparations, soaps and other products which are washed off the skin, the total level of bergapten in the consumer products should not exceed 0.0015% (15 ppm). This is equivalent to 0.0075% (75 ppm) in a fragrance compound used at 20% in the consumer product. Where the level of bergapten has not been determined by appropriate methods, the limits specified in the guidelines on individual oils should apply. In those cases, where such oils are used in combination with other phototoxic ingredients, the additive effect has to be taken into consideration and the use levels have to be reduced accordingly. The sum of the concentrations of all phototoxic fragrance ingredients, expressed in % of their recommended maximum level in the consumer product, shall not exceed 100.
contains the following IFRA (Annex) restricted components: (non-analysis max. level reference only)
citral	Max. Found: 0.2 % and Reason: Sensitization
limits in the finished product for - "leave on the skin contact":
	0.7000 % Restriction.
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:		-	370.00000
beverages(nonalcoholic):		-	130.00000
beverages(alcoholic):		-	-
breakfast cereal:		-	-
cheese:		-	-
chewing gum:		-	3100.00000
condiments / relishes:		-	20.00000
confectionery froastings:		-	-
egg products:		-	-
fats / oils:		-	-
fish products:		-	-
frozen dairy:		-	160.00000
fruit ices:		-	160.00000
gelatins / puddings:		-	200.00000
granulated sugar:		-	-
gravies:		-	-
hard candy:		-	680.00000
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

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reference(s):

Safety and efficacy of feed additives consisting of expressed lemon oil and its fractions from Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck and of lime oil from Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl) View page or View pdf

ClinicalTrials.gov:search

Daily Med:search

AIDS Citations:Search

Cancer Citations:Search

Toxicology Citations:Search

EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):8008-26-2

EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data

citrus aurantifolia swingle distilled oil

Chemidplus:0008008262

RTECS:RI7270000 for cas# 8008-26-2