Overview
ISO 4725:2004 specifies essential quality characteristics and test requirements for Oil of cedarwood, Texas (Juniperus mexicana). The standard facilitates objective assessment of this essential oil used in perfumery, aromatherapy and trade by defining physical properties, chromatographic profile requirements and minimum sample and testing guidance.
Key standard elements include: appearance, colour, odour, density, refractive index, optical rotation, miscibility with ethanol, cedrol content and a normative gas chromatography (GC) profile.
Key Topics
- Appearance: viscous liquid
- Colour: brown to brown-reddish
- Odour: characteristic, woody
- Density (20 °C): minimum 0.950, maximum 0.966
- Refractive index (20 °C): minimum 1.502, maximum 1.510
- Optical rotation (20 °C): between −52° and −30°
- Miscibility with 90% ethanol (20 °C): a clear solution should be obtained using no more than 5 volumes of ethanol per 1 volume of oil
- Cedrol content (as alcohol): minimum 35% (volume fraction) and maximum 48% (volume fraction) as determined after acetyation
- Minimum sample volume for testing: 25 ml
- Flash point: informative average value reported at +107 °C (see Annex B; method to be specified when reporting)
Gas Chromatography Profile
ISO 4725:2004 requires GC analysis to establish a chromatographic profile. Representative constituents and their normative ranges are provided (Table 1):
- α-Cédrène: 15.0–25.0%
- β-Cédrène: 3.0–8.0%
- Thuyopsène: 25.0–35.0%
- Cuparène: 1.5–3.2%
- Cédrol: ≥ 20.0%
- Widdrol: ≥ 2.5%
The GC profile is normative for quality assessment and is to be produced in accordance with ISO 11024 parts 1 and 2.
Applications
This standard is practical for:
- Producers and traders verifying conformity of cedarwood Texas oil to accepted quality limits
- Analytical laboratories performing GC-based identity and purity testing
- Perfumery and fragrance formulators ensuring consistent olfactory and technical performance
- Regulatory, safety and transport stakeholders referencing characteristic physical and flash point information
ISO 4725:2004 supports consistent procurement, quality control and traceability of Juniperus mexicana essential oil across commercial and technical applications.
Related Standards
ISO 4725:2004 references and works alongside several ISO documents that define test methods and handling practices, including:
Adherence to ISO 4725:2004 ensures reproducible testing and clearer communication of oil quality in global markets.
