Title: Ajowan Oil
Synonyms: Ptychotis oil
Literature References: Obtained by distillation of seeds of
Carum copticum (DC.) Benth. & Hook.
(Ptychotis ajowan DC.),
Umbelliferae. Contains thymol, a-pinene,
p-cymene, dipentene, g-terpinene; fixed oil content includes petroselenic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, resin acids, and palmitic acid.
Ref: Farook
et al. J. Sci. Food Agric. 4, 132 (1953); E. Guenther,
The Essential Oils IV, 551-2 (Van Nostrand, New York, 1950).
Properties: Almost colorless or brownish liquid; thyme odor; sharp burning taste. d 0.910-0.930. Rotation 0° to +5°.
nD20 1.498-1.504. Sol in 1-2.5 vol and more of 80% alcohol. The oil is toxic to earthworms, while alcoholic extracts are toxic to staphylococci and
Escherichia coli. Dil extracts are useful as expectorants: Umanskii, Krutik,
Farmatsiya 8, no. 6, 19 (1945),
C.A. 41, 2209 (1947).
Index of refraction: nD20 1.498-1.504
Density: d 0.910-0.930
