Overview
ISO 4727:2021 specifies quality characteristics for the essential oil of palmarosa - Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) W. Watson var. motia. The standard defines physicochemical parameters, a normative chromatographic profile and guidance on sampling, packaging, labelling and storage to facilitate consistent quality assessment, trade and conformity testing of palmarosa essential oil.
Key topics and technical requirements
- General characteristics
- Appearance: clear mobile liquid; colour: pale yellow to yellow; odour: rose-like with grassy note.
- Physicochemical tests
- Relative density (20 °C): 0.880–0.894 (ISO 279).
- Refractive index (20 °C): 1.471–1.478 (ISO 280).
- Optical rotation: between −1° and +3° (ISO 592).
- Miscibility in 70% ethanol: one volume in not more than two volumes to give a clear solution (ISO 875).
- Chromatographic profile (normative)
- Analysis by gas chromatography following ISO 11024 guidance. Key components and required ranges (integrator %):
- Geraniol: 77.0–85.0%
- Geranyl acetate: 5.0–13.0%
- Linalool: 1.5–4.0%
- β‑Caryophyllene: 1.0–2.5%
- Plus limits for myrcene, limonene, (E)-β-ocimene, nerol, neral, geranial, geranyl hexanoate, (E,E)-farnesol (traces), etc.
- Typical apolar and polar column chromatograms and operating conditions are given in informative annexes.
- Flashpoint
- Informative mean value: +93 °C (closed cup measurement; Annex B).
- Sampling & packaging
Applications and who uses it
- Essential oil producers and distillers - define product specifications and ensure consistency from harvest (flowering stage) to distillation.
- Analytical and QC laboratories - perform GC-based identity and purity testing to verify the normative chromatographic profile and physicochemical limits.
- Importers, traders and retailers - use the standard for specification in contracts and to support product labelling and safety data.
- Regulatory, transport and safety professionals - reference flashpoint and labelling/packaging rules for safe handling and compliance.
- Product formulators (cosmetics, aromatherapy, perfumery) - confirm authenticity and key component levels (notably high geraniol) for formulation and claims.
Related standards
This specification helps ensure reliable quality, authentication and safe handling of palmarosa essential oil in production, testing and commercial use.
