Overview
ISO 22769:2022 specifies quality characteristics for the essential oil of Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) to facilitate consistent assessment of product identity and quality. This second edition (2022) updates chromatographic limits and analytical guidance and replaces ISO 22769:2009. The standard covers physical properties, chromatographic profile requirements, sampling, flashpoint information and packaging/labeling references.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Defines essential oil obtained by steam distillation from the heartwood of Santalum spicatum (western Australia).
- Physical characteristics:
- Appearance: clear, viscous liquid at 20 °C
- Colour: almost colourless to yellow
- Odour: sweet, woody and persistent
- Relative density (d20): 0.945–0.980 (ISO 279)
- Refractive index (n20): 1.500–1.517 (ISO 280)
- Optical rotation (20 °C): −16° to +4° (ISO 592)
- Miscibility: clear solution with ≤5 volumes of 70% ethanol per 1 volume oil (ISO 875)
- Chromatographic profile (normative): Gas chromatography per the ISO 11024 series. The standard lists representative components with minimum and maximum percentage ranges (integrator %):
- Z-α-Santalol: 15.0–30.0%
- epi-α-Bisabolol: 0.2–12.5%
- Z-β-Santalol: 4.5–20.0%
- epi-β-Santalol: 0.5–3.5%
- Z-α-trans-Bergamotol: 2.0–10.0%
- E,E-Farnesol: 2.5–18.0%
- Z-Nuciferol: 2.0–15.0%
- Z-Lanceol: 0.5–10.0%
- Analytical guidance: Annex A provides typical chromatograms and recommends use of a polar column (e.g., BP20) for better peak resolution. Analysis conditions and peak identification are included for information.
- Flashpoint: Informative mean value of approximately +140 °C (measured with Setaflash apparatus) is given in Annex B.
- Sampling and handling: Sampling per ISO 212; minimum test sample 50 mL. Packaging, labelling and storage per ISO/TS 210 and ISO/TS 211.
Applications and users
ISO 22769:2022 is intended for:
- Essential oil manufacturers and distillers validating product quality of Australian sandalwood oil.
- Quality control and analytical laboratories performing GC profiling and physicochemical testing.
- Perfumers, cosmetic formulators and flavor houses requiring specification-compliant raw materials.
- Procurement, trading and regulatory teams needing documented quality criteria for sourcing and transport.
- Certification bodies and standardization authorities using a harmonized reference for identity and composition.
Related standards
Key normative references cited include ISO/TS 210, ISO/TS 211, ISO 212, ISO 279, ISO 280, ISO 592, ISO 875 and the ISO 11024 series (chromatographic profiles). These provide complementary methods for sampling, packaging, and testing.
Keywords: ISO 22769:2022, Australian sandalwood essential oil, Santalum spicatum, chromatographic profile, gas chromatography, essential oil quality, flashpoint, sampling, refractive index.