Oil* and Fats. 



1 to 2 vol. 80 per cent, alcohol at+20°, remaining clear or showing at most 

 feeble opalescence when up to 10 vol. solvent are added, from which even on 

 prolonged standing no drops of oil must separate off. Sage designates this test 

 an arbitrary determination, which no doubt may be useful in some cases, bnt 

 which cannot give information on the quality of the oil; for the latter, only 

 the content of geraniol and citronellal are decisive. For this reason it does not 

 appear desirable, according to Sage, to retain Schimmel's test as a criterion for the 

 purity of the oils. 



In reply to this we would point out that we also have always supported and 

 still support the view that for the quality of citronella oil the content of total 

 geraniol (geraniol + citronellal) is above all decisive. Bnt such determinations 

 frequently take up too much time for commercial practice, and for this reason 

 an easy and quickly completed method of testing was desirable, which should 

 at least give general data as to the quality of the oils. Such a method Schimmel's 

 test has proved to be; experience has shown that oils can be tested by it with 

 good results, and it has been thoroughly acknowledged and recommended by 

 leading experts. Mr. Sage's protest will affect it all the less, as the oil examined 

 by him also differs so widely in its specific gravity and content of 

 geraniol + citronellal from commercial Ceylon citronella oil, that a comparison 

 with the latter appears out of place. To what cause these differences must be 

 attributed is a matter which cannot be settled without further inquiry. What 

 calls for particular attention is the fact that in spite of its high content of 

 geraniol + citronellal (77%) the oil dissolves so badly. In the numerous commercial 

 oils examined by ns, we have always observed that the solubility of citronella 

 oils increases with the content of total geraniol, and that consequently the 

 solubility is most intimately related to the quality of the commercial oils. This 

 fact has even induced us to introduce a "raised Schimmel's test," according to 

 which citronella oil mixed with 5% Russian petroleum must show approximately 

 the same solubility in 80 per cent alcohol as the original oil. We have in no 

 single instance observed that oils of superior quality have not stood this test, 

 and we can with full confidence recommend it to every one interested in the 

 honest trade in Ceylon citronella oil, notwithstanding the opposite view taken 

 by Mr. Sage. We hoped that in this way it may be accomplished that in course 

 of time only the best quality Ceylon citronella oil is placed on the market.— 

 Semi-Annual Report of Schimmel & Co. 



19 



