TUBEROSE ABSOLUTE OIL / MINYAK ABSOLUT BUNGA SEDAP MALAM By DDISTILLERS

Brand: DDistillers
INCI name: Polianthes Tuberosa Flower Extract
Product Category: Single Absolute Oil, purity: 100
HS Code: 33012990
CAS#: 8000-41-7
FEMA#: 3054

Extraction method: Solvent extraction

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Tuberose Absolute Oil is a natural aromatic material obtained from the flowers of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.), a white-flowering plant widely recognized for its exceptionally powerful and distinctive fragrance. This oil is produced using the solvent extraction method. This method is chosen because tuberose flowers are highly heat-sensitive and contain a high proportion of heavy aromatic compounds that cannot be efficiently extracted through steam distillation.

During the extraction process, fresh tuberose flowers are treated with a non-polar solvent such as hexane to capture their natural aromatic compounds. The initial product of this process is known as a concrete, which is then further refined to obtain the absolute oil. Absolute oils are recognized for having an aroma that is closer to the natural flower, as they retain a broader spectrum of aromatic compounds compared to steam-distilled essential oils.

In general, Tuberose Absolute Oil exhibits an intensely floral, sweet, creamy, and slightly warm aroma. In perfumery literature, this fragrance is often described as “rich” or “opulent.” These aromatic characteristics arise from a complex combination of naturally occurring compounds in tuberose flowers, particularly aromatic esters and nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds. Scientific studies indicate that compounds such as methyl anthranilate, benzyl acetate, and methyl benzoate play a major role in shaping the characteristic tuberose aroma.

Tuberose Absolute Oil appears as a liquid with a color ranging from yellow to deep orange. This coloration is a natural characteristic of solvent-extracted absolutes and does not indicate product degradation or reduced quality. The oil has a relatively high density compared to steam-distilled essential oils, reflecting its content of complex aromatic compounds with higher molecular weights.

Tuberose Absolute Oil is soluble in alcohol and vegetable oils but insoluble in water. This property makes it suitable for use as an aromatic ingredient in perfumes, cosmetics, and body care products formulated on oil- or alcohol-based systems.

From a sensory or organoleptic perspective, the aroma of Tuberose Absolute Oil develops gradually. It begins with a strong sweet floral impression, then evolves into a creamier and warmer profile with long-lasting persistence. Due to its powerful aroma and strong tenacity, tuberose absolute has traditionally been used as a middle to base note in perfume formulations. Compared to other white flowers such as jasmine or magnolia, tuberose is generally perceived as more intense and deeper in character.

BOTANICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) is a perennial flowering plant renowned for its highly fragrant blossoms, especially during the night. The plant originates from Central America and Mexico but has long been widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, including South and Southeast Asia. In modern botanical literature, Polianthes tuberosa is classified within the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae, after previously being placed in the family Agavaceae.

The plant is cultivated primarily as an ornamental species and as a source of aromatic raw materials, with the flowers being the most economically valuable part. The distinctive fragrance of tuberose originates from volatile compounds produced by floral tissues and released most intensively during the full-bloom stage.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Tracheophyta (vascular plants)
• Class: Liliopsida (monocotyledons)
• Order: Asparagales
• Family: Asparagaceae
• Subfamily: Agavoideae
• Genus: Polianthes
• Species: Polianthes tuberosa L.

This classification is based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses, which place tuberose closer to agave and yucca groups than to true lilies.

PLANT MORPHOLOGY

• Tuber (Bulb)
  Tuberose possesses a fleshy storage organ in the form of a tuberous rhizome that serves as a nutrient reserve. This structure enables the plant to survive unfavorable environmental conditions and supports regrowth in subsequent seasons. Both leaves and flower stalks emerge from this tuber.
• Leaves
  Tuberose leaves are linear to lanceolate in shape, elongated, and bright green in color. They grow from the base of the plant in a rosette arrangement. Morphologically, the leaves have smooth surfaces, pointed tips, and parallel venation, which are characteristic features of monocot plants. The leaves function as the primary photosynthetic organs, supplying energy for flower development.
• Stem and Flower Stalk
  The true stem of tuberose is relatively short, while the flower stalk (scape) grows upright, cylindrical, and can reach a height of approximately 60 to 120 cm. This leafless stalk supports the inflorescence. Its sturdy structure allows the flowers to remain upright and densely arranged throughout the flowering period.

FLOWER MORPHOLOGY

Tuberose flowers are arranged in a spike-type inflorescence, consisting of numerous closely spaced florets along the stalk. The flowers are hermaphroditic and range in color from white to creamy white.

Key morphological characteristics of the flowers include:

• An elongated tubular flower shape
• Six tepals (undifferentiated petals and sepals)
• Six stamens and one pistil
• A relatively long floral tube, which helps trap and retain aromatic compounds

Tuberose is known as a night-blooming flower, with fragrance emission increasing significantly during the late afternoon and evening. Scientifically, this phenomenon is associated with the plant’s circadian rhythm and the enzymatic activity involved in the biosynthesis of volatile aromatic compounds.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FLOWER MORPHOLOGY AND AROMA

• The tubular structure of the flowers and the epidermal tissues of tuberose contain secretory cells that produce and release volatile compounds. Research shows that the highest production of aromatic compounds occurs during the full-bloom stage, particularly at night. These volatile compounds function to attract natural pollinators and simultaneously serve as the primary aromatic raw material for the production of tuberose absolute oil.
• The density of the florets and the length of the floral tube contribute to the high accumulation of aromatic compounds, which botanically positions tuberose as one of the most intensely fragrant white flowers among flowering plants.

HISTORY AND USE

Origin of the Plant and Early Use

The history of Tuberose Absolute Oil is inseparable from the history of the tuberose plant (Polianthes tuberosa L.) itself. The plant originates from Central America, particularly Mexico, and has been known since pre-Columbian times. In ethnobotanical records, the Aztec civilization referred to tuberose flowers as Omixochitl, meaning “bone flower” or “strongly scented white flower.” The flowers were used in religious rituals, ceremonial practices, and as natural fragrances for sacred spaces and offerings.

At that time, the use of tuberose was limited to fresh flowers rather than aromatic oils or extracts. The strong fragrance released mainly at night was considered to hold symbolic and spiritual significance, creating solemn and sacred atmospheres during ritual activities.

Spread to Europe and Asia

In the 16th century, tuberose was brought by Spanish explorers from Mexico to Europe as an exotic ornamental plant. It quickly attracted the attention of European nobility due to its intense fragrance, which differed markedly from local flowers. In France, Italy, and Spain, tuberose began to be cultivated on a limited scale in greenhouses and aristocratic gardens.

As tuberose spread to South and Southeast Asia through colonial trade routes, it was also adopted into local cultures. In India, tuberose flowers became widely used in floral garlands, religious ceremonies, and cultural traditions. During this period, the use of fresh flowers as natural fragrances remained dominant, as aroma extraction technologies were still limited.

Development of Aroma Extraction Techniques

Tuberose Absolute Oil became known following the development of aroma extraction techniques in the 18th and 19th centuries. Initially, the European perfume industry employed the enfleurage method, which involved absorbing the scent of fresh flowers into animal fats. This technique allowed heat-sensitive flowers such as tuberose to be processed without degrading their volatile compounds.

However, enfleurage was time-consuming and costly. With advances in chemistry and solvent technology in the late 19th century, solvent extraction using non-polar solvents gradually replaced enfleurage. This led to the production of tuberose concrete and subsequently tuberose absolute, obtained by purifying the concrete with alcohol. This development marked the emergence of Tuberose Absolute Oil as a modern aromatic raw material.

Tuberose Absolute in the History of Perfumery

From the late 19th to the 20th century, Tuberose Absolute Oil became one of the most valued materials in perfumery. Its aroma was associated with luxury, sensuality, and elegance. Many classic European perfumes incorporated tuberose absolute as a central component or an important accent within floral compositions.

Perfumery literature describes tuberose as a material capable of creating rich and layered white floral impressions, distinct from lighter floral notes. Due to its naturally powerful aroma, tuberose absolute is typically used at low concentrations, yet it delivers a significant olfactory impact. During this period, production of tuberose absolute was concentrated primarily in France and India, which remain major producing regions to this day.

History of Use in Aromatherapy and Modern Products

In the context of modern aromatherapy, the use of Tuberose Absolute Oil expanded alongside the growing interest in natural aromatic materials toward the end of the 20th century. Unlike more commonly used essential oils, tuberose absolute is selectively employed by professional aromatherapists due to its exceptionally strong and complex aroma.

Historically, tuberose fragrance has been associated with profound emotional effects such as relaxation, mood enhancement, and psychological comfort. Although its therapeutic use is largely based on aromatic and emotional approaches rather than direct clinical evidence, aromatherapy literature recognizes tuberose absolute as an aroma capable of influencing emotional responses through the olfactory system.

Today, Tuberose Absolute Oil is used in a wide range of modern applications, including natural perfumery, premium cosmetics, body care products, and wellness-oriented aromatic formulations. Its use continues to preserve its historical value as an exclusive aromatic material, rooted in a long tradition of tuberose flower utilization across cultures and eras.

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