ISO 3524:2003 - Oil of cinnamon leaf, Sri Lanka type (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume)
Overview
ISO 3524:2003 specifies quality characteristics and analytical requirements for oil of cinnamon leaf, Sri Lanka type (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume). The standard helps laboratories, producers and buyers assess identity and quality of this essential oil by defining physical properties, compositional limits and a normative chromatographic profile. It is intended to facilitate consistent quality control, trade and regulatory compliance for cinnamon leaf oil used in flavors, fragrances, cosmetics and aromatherapy.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Appearance & odour: clear, mobile liquid; light to dark amber; characteristic spice‑like odour reminiscent of eugenol.
- Physical properties:
- Relative density at 20 °C: 1.037 – 1.053
- Refractive index at 20 °C: 1.527 – 1.540
- Optical rotation at 20 °C: between −2.5° and +2°
- Miscibility: in 70% ethanol at 20 °C - up to 2 volumes of ethanol needed to obtain a clear solution with 1 volume of oil (occasional opalescence allowed).
- Phenol content: 75% – 85% (v/v) - important because eugenol and related phenols dominate the oil’s character and functional properties.
- Chromatographic profile (normative): gas chromatography must identify representative components with specified integrator ranges, notably:
- Eugenol: 70.0 – 83.0%
- trans‑Cinnamic aldehyde: 0.8 – 1.5%
- trans‑Cinnamyl acetate: 1.1 – 1.8%
- Eugenyl acetate: 1.3 – 3.0%
- Benzyl benzoate: 2.0 – 4.0%
- Sampling & test methods: minimum test sample 25 ml; specific ISO methods referenced for density, refractive index, optical rotation, GC profiling and phenol determination.
- Flashpoint (informative): mean value reported as +88 °C (informative annex).
Applications and users
- Quality control labs performing GC analysis and routine testing of cinnamon leaf oil.
- Essential oil producers and traders in Sri Lanka and global suppliers to ensure batch conformity.
- Food, fragrance, cosmetic and aromatherapy manufacturers requiring verified composition (e.g., high eugenol content).
- Regulators, importers and transport/safety officers who need standardized property data (packaging, labelling, flashpoint guidance).
Related standards
ISO 3524 references and works alongside other ISO documents for methods and handling, including:
Keywords: ISO 3524, cinnamon leaf oil, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, essential oil quality, chromatographic profile, eugenol, phenol content, essential oils testing.