Overview
ISO 3516:1997 specifies quality characteristics and test methods for oil of coriander fruits (Coriandrum sativum L.). This ISO standard defines physical, chemical and chromatographic requirements to facilitate consistent quality assessment of coriander essential oil used in flavour, fragrance and cosmetic applications. It is the second edition (1997) and replaces ISO 3516:1980.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Characteristics required for oil of coriander fruits to assess quality; includes appearance, colour, odour and analytical limits.
- Physical constants
- Relative density (20 °C): 0.862 – 0.878
- Refractive index (20 °C): 1.4620 – 1.4700
- Optical rotation (20 °C): +7° to +13°
- Acid value: maximum 3.0
- Minimum sample volume for testing: 25 mL
- Chromatographic profile (GC)
- The oil must be analysed by gas chromatography and characteristic constituents identified.
- Major constituents and indicative ranges given in the standard include:
- Linalool: ~65–78%
- Camphor: ~4–6%
- α-Pinene: ~3–7%
- Limonene: ~2–5%
- γ-Terpinene: ~2–7%
- Myrcene: ~0.5–1.5%
- α-Terpineol: ~0.5–1.5%
- Other components identified include geranyl acetate and geraniol; the complete normative chromatographic profile and acceptable limits appear in the standard.
- Analytical methods and conditions
- ISO 3516 references ISO methods for specific tests (density, refractive index, optical rotation, acid value) and requires GC profiling in accordance with ISO 11024 guidance.
- Annex A provides example GC operating conditions (capillary columns 50 m × 0.25 mm, FID detector, injector/detector ~220 °C, oven temperature programs, hydrogen carrier gas) and typical chromatograms.
- Safety information
- Flash point guidance is given in an informative annex; an average flash point is noted as +56 °C (Setaflash).
Applications and users
ISO 3516 is used by:
- Essential oil producers and distillers for product specification and batch acceptance
- Quality control and analytical laboratories performing GC profiling and physico-chemical tests
- Fragrance, flavour and cosmetic manufacturers for raw material specification and supplier qualification
- Procurement, regulatory and transport professionals who require standardized safety/packaging and labelling information
Practical benefits include consistent supplier specifications, reliable GC-based authentication, and improved traceability of coriander oil quality.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 3516, coriander oil, oil of coriander fruits, Coriandrum sativum, essential oil specification, chromatographic profile, linalool, gas chromatography, density, refractive index, optical rotation.
