Ammoniac Gum

#### Ammoniac Gum. **Ammoniac**** ****Gum**** **(also called **Ammoniacum**) is a natural oleo-gum-resin which is exuded after incisions in the stem of the tall plant, **Dorema Ammoniacum **(in Iran), or from various **Ferula**** **species (in Libya and Morocco). The substance is a physiological formation inside of the stems of the plant (compare **Asafoetida**). When incisions are made, the milky juice oozes out and quickly resinifies into tear-shaped bodies. The ammoniac gum is known commercially in this form. The natural material contains about 75% alcohol-soluble substances, including about 3% essential oil. Tinctures and resinoids are produced from this material, and are used in perfume and flavor work to a limited extent. Tincture of ammoniac gum has some fixative value and imparts a certain "animal" note to perfumes. It blends well with rose, jasmin, sweet wood oils, heavy oriental perfumes, etc. and all materials of the "balsamic sweet" type. The essential oil of **Ammoniac Gum **is produced by steam distillation of the crude botanical. The oil is not produced on a commercial scale and it is not regularly available. It is a pale yellow to pale orange colored, mobile Liquid of penetrating sulphuraceous-mercaptanelike odor, reminiscent of onions. The alcohol soluble portion of the essential-oil-free ammoniac gum is a pleasant smelling, balsamic type of fixative material. The essential oil could find some use in flavor work for meat sauces, seasonings, etc.