Sumatra Benzoin

#### Benzoin Sumatra. **Sumatra**** ****Benzoin **is a natural balsamic resin, exuded from a small tree, **Styrax**** ****Benzoin,**** **grown extensively in Sumatra and Malaya. Incisions are made in the trunks either through the bark or after peeling off spots of bark, and a viscous balsamic substance is produced as a pathologic material in the trunk. The substance flows out and solidifies on making contact with the air. The gum-resin is collected from the incisions and from the bottom of the trunk at the foot of the tree where significant quantities of benzoin accumulates. There are several grades of **Sumatra Benzoin**. The "Almond" grade is considered the most suitable for perfumery purposes. It consists mainly of white or cream-colored brittle pieces, somewhat resembling almonds. This quality obviously yields a very pale-colored resinoid or tincture. It contains about 90% alcohol-soluble matter, occasionally more. Other grades of **Sumatra Benzoin **are solid masses, dark blocks of gray or brown-gray, uneven lumps containing more or less quantities of dirt, sand, wood splinters, etc. **Sumatra**** ****Benzoin**** **consists mainly of cinnamates (esters) of coniferylalcohol, cinnamyl alcohol, benzoresinol, phenylpropylalcohol, etc., as distinguished from **Siam Benzoin **which consists mainly of benzoates. Lower grades of **Sumatra Benzoin**, (e. g. "Palembang" and "Penang"), have odor characteristics in common with **Styrax**** **(i.e. more harsh odor than "Almond" benzoin). They are darker, reddish-brown in color. The amount of essential oil or volatile constituents in benzoin is negligible, and an essential oil is not commercially available. **Benzoin Sumatra **is a low-cost and readily available raw material, extensively used as a replacement for **Siam Benzoin **which is far more expensive. From a perfumer's point of view, however, the two benzoins should be considered as two different products. One can not substitute for the other. **Siam**** ****Benzoin**** **will find application in the more delicate fragrances. It is not possible to add the above mentioned known materials to a **Sumatra Benzoin **and convert it to anything like a fair grade of **Siam**** ****Benzoin**. The Sumatra type will remain a coarser product which can be used in perfumes of the more harsh-balsamic, sharp- floral type, e.g. hyacinth, new mown hay, etc. **Siam**** ****Benzoin**** **is also superior with respect to antioxidative effect, e.g. in lard and other fats.