Gurjun balsam light CT copaene

Latin name :

Dipterocarpus turbinatus

Botanical profile :

Gurjun is the name given to the balsam exhuded by a tree belonging to the Dipterocarpaceae family and the dipterocarpus genus

Geographic origin :

The Dipterocarpus turbinatus (gurjun balsam tree ) is native to Asia, especially Southeast Asia. It is very common in the following countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia.

Chemotypes :

The genus Dipterocarpus includes almost 70 species. Among them, one species, the Dipterocarpus turbinatus is very valuable for its balsam, the gurjun.
This species has two main chemotypes, identifiable by the main component.
- Dipterocarpus turbinatus CT Copaene (Gurjun balsam dark CT copaene / Gurjun balsam light CT copaene): This chemotype is mainly present in Indonesia. The balsam of this chemotype contains at least 40% Alpha-copaene as well as few amont of Beta-caryophyllene.
- Dipterocarpus turbinatus CT Gurjunene (Gurjun balsam dark CT gurjunene /Gurjun balsam light CT gurjunene): This chemotype is distributed in Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam or Cambodia. The balsam contains at least 40% Alpha-gurjunene. (Please note that the concentration of beta-caryophyllene is negligible).

Extraction process :

Gurjun balsam is exhuded by tall trees of the Dipterocarpus gender. Farmers performs scarifications and burns of the trunk. Resulting oleoresin is the tree's immunological response to these aggressions.

If the oleoresin is sold as such, it is called ''Dark '' quality. (cf. Gurjun balsam dark CT copaene).
It is however possible to make a hydrodistillation on it in order to obtain a ''light '' balsam. (cf. Gurjun balsam light CT copaene)

Major Components :

Alpha-copaene (42 - 52%)
Beta-caryophyllene (18 - 28%)
Alpha-humulene (3.80 - 6.2%)
Alpha-gurjunene (Trace)