NOTES ON SOME FATTY AND ESSENTIAL OILS 



By SHUHEl HIGUCHI, Chemist of Forest Fxperiment Station 



I. Yabunikkei Seed Oil 



The oil is obtained by pressing the seeds of the Cinnamomum pe- 

 dunculatum Nees. which is a large tree growing along the southern coast 

 of the Main Island. The seed which is the size of pea contains in its 

 kernel a considerable quantity of oil. The exact figures are 61.86% of 

 the oil and 4.69% of water. On a manufacturing scale, the seeds yield 

 oil in the ratio of 37.7% of their weight. 



The oil obtained by pressing the seeds is brown in color and has a 

 peculiar smell. Both color and smell can, however, be removed by washing 

 with hot water. The oil which is liquid only during summer months 

 solidifies in other seasons forming a crystalline mass much like Japanese 

 wax in appearance. It is a non-drying oil and is well suited for the 

 manufacture of hard soap. 



The physical and chemical constants of the oil of Yabunikkei seeds 

 are as follows : — 



Specific gravity at 100°C 0.8743 



Melting point 11-15°C 



Acid value 0.78 



Saponification value 276.9 



Iodine value 8.46 



Hehner value 90.97 



Reichert-Meissl 1.30 



Physical and chemical constants of mixed fatty acids: — 



Specific gravity 0.8671 



Melting point ■ 31°C. 



Solidifying point 29°C. 



Neutralization value 285.2 



Mean molecular weight 196.6 



Iodine value 8.05 



