Overview
ISO 3215:1998 specifies the quality characteristics and testing approaches for oil of nutmeg, Indonesian type (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) to facilitate consistent assessment of product quality. The standard covers organoleptic properties, physical constants, residue limits, chromatographic profiling and guidance on sampling, packaging and storage. Annexes provide informative chromatograms and flashpoint data.
Key measurable attributes include:
- Appearance: Clear mobile liquid.
- Colour: Almost colourless to light yellow.
- Odour: Spicy, sweet, aromatic with characteristic nuances.
- Relative density (d20): Minimum 0.885, maximum 0.907.
- Refractive index (n20): Minimum 1.475, maximum 1.485.
- Optical rotation (20 °C): Between +6° and +18°.
- Residue on evaporation: Maximum 2% (evaporation time: 3 h).
- Miscibility in ethanol (90 % v/v): 1 volume oil should dissolve within a maximum of 5 volumes ethanol (3–4 volumes typical for freshly distilled oils).
Key Topics
- Gas chromatography and chromatographic profile: Analysis by gas chromatography is normative. The standard lists representative components and acceptable ranges that constitute the chromatographic profile, including:
- α-Pinene: 15–28 %
- β-Pinene: 13–18 %
- Sabinene: 14–29 %
- δ-3-Carene: 0.5–2.0 %
- Limonene: 2.0–7.0 %
- γ-Terpinene: 2.0–6.0 %
- Terpinen-4-ol: 2.0–6.0 %
- Safrole: 1.0–2.5 %
- Myristicin: 5.0–12 %
Identification and proportion assessment is performed using integrator data from GC runs. Annex A gives example chromatograms and recommended operating conditions for polar and apolar columns.
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Flashpoint information: Annex B gives mean flashpoint values for information (+48 °C with Luchaire; +38 °C with Setaflash) and explains variability between test methods.
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Sampling and testing: Minimum test sample volume is 25 ml. The standard references ISO methods for density, refractive index, optical rotation, miscibility, residue on evaporation and chromatographic profiling.
Applications
ISO 3215:1998 is used by:
- Quality control laboratories for acceptance testing and release of Indonesian nutmeg oil.
- Traders and purchasers to verify specification compliance during procurement.
- Regulatory and safety teams for packaging, labelling and transport decisions (in conjunction with flashpoint guidance).
- R&D and formulation teams to ensure ingredient consistency in flavors, fragrances and related products.
Related Standards
The standard cites and should be used alongside these ISO documents:
- ISO 210, 211, 212 (packaging, labelling, sampling)
- ISO 279, 280, 592 (density, refractive index, optical rotation)
- ISO 875, ISO 4715 (miscibility, residue on evaporation)
- ISO 11024‑1 and ISO 11024‑2 (chromatographic profile guidance)
For implementers, ISO 3215:1998 provides a practical, test-oriented framework to ensure consistent quality, traceability and safe handling of Indonesian nutmeg essential oil.