Overview
ISO 3044:2020 - Essential oil of Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson (syn. Eucalyptus citriodora) - is an international standard that specifies the key characteristics and test methods used to assess the quality and identity of this citronellal-rich essential oil. The document is intended to facilitate consistent quality control, authentication and trade by defining physical properties, chromatographic profile requirements, sampling, and packaging/labelling guidance.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Identity and scope: Applies to essential oil obtained by steam distillation of leaves and twigs of Corymbia citriodora (Myrtaceae).
- Physical characteristics (Table 1):
- Appearance: clear mobile liquid; colour almost colourless to greenish yellow
- Odour: characteristic, recalling citronellal
- Relative density at 20 °C: 0.860 – 0.880 (ISO 279)
- Refractive index at 20 °C: 1.450 – 1.460 (ISO 280)
- Optical rotation at 20 °C: −1° to +3° (ISO 592)
- Miscibility: clear solution with ≤ four volumes of 70% ethanol (ISO 875)
- Chromatographic profile (normative) - gas chromatography per ISO 11024. Representative components and required ranges:
- 1,8‑Cineole: 0.5 – 3.0%
- neo‑Isopulegol + Isopulegol: 5.0 – 10.0%
- Citronellal: 75.0 – 85.0%
- Citronellol: 3.0 – 10.0%
- Citronellyl acetate: 0.1 – 2.0%
- Sampling: Per ISO 212; minimum test sample volume 50 ml.
- Flash point: Informative mean value +78 °C (Annex B - obtained with Luchaire equipment).
- Packaging, labelling and storage: Follow ISO/TS 210 and ISO/TS 211. Annex A provides typical chromatograms and suggested GC operating conditions.
Applications and Users
ISO 3044:2020 is used by:
- Essential oil producers and distillers for product specification and batch release
- Analytical and quality control laboratories performing GC-based authentication and composition testing
- Fragrance, flavour and aromatherapy manufacturers verifying raw material quality
- Traders, buyers and procurement teams specifying supplier requirements
- Regulatory bodies, transport and insurance services assessing safety (flash point) and labelling compliance
Practical uses include authentication to detect adulteration, specification for supply contracts, laboratory test protocols, and safety/transport documentation.
Related Standards
Keywords: ISO 3044:2020, Corymbia citriodora essential oil, Eucalyptus citriodora, essential oil quality, chromatographic profile, gas chromatography, flash point, sampling, refractive index, citronellal.
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