Magnolia Flower EO

Latin name :

Michelia alba

Botanical profile :

Magnolia tree is part of the Magnoliaceae family, and of the genus Michelia (as Champaca Absolute)

Geographic origin :

Magnolia has a natural distribution located in majority in Asia (Java island, Indonesia). It is also possible to find it in the eastern part of North-America, in Central America, and in South America for some spieces.

Chemotypes :

Magnolia is, along with Champaca Absolute, one of the only flowers of the genus Michelia used in perfumery. It is known for its pronounced scent.
The Michelia genus includes about 50 reported species. Among them, we can distinguish :
Michelia alba (White Magnolia - Magnolia Flower EO), native to Java, Indonesia, with very fragrant white flowers, rich in Linalool.
Michelia Champaca (Champaca Absolute), grown mainly in the Himalayas and providing an absolute rich in Beta-Ionone.
Michelia figo, cultivated in small quantities in China for its perfume.
The Michelia platypetala, or Chinese magnolia, whose absolute is rich in Methyl Benzoate and Acetophenone.

Extraction process :

Magnolia is a medium sized tree ranging from 6 to 15m high. The flowers are usually harvested in the early evening and then at night, as it is during these times that the flowers are most fragrant. It is then possible to extract its essential oil by distillation with a very low yield of 0.1 to 0.2%. Absolutes can also be extracted with hexane (yield ranging from 0.04% to 0.05%). Very recently, studies have shown that CO₂ extractions are also possible but that the profitability of such a process is still difficult.
It should also be noticed that some producers still use the enfleurage technique because it provides the best olfactory restitution. However, the price of such a process does not make the trade profitable and it is very rare to find it in perfumes.

Major Components :

Linalool (≈90%)
Methyl Eugenol (≈2%)
Beta-Elemene (≈2%)
Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate (≈2%)
Methyl 2-Methylbutyrate (≈2%)
Beta-Caryophyllene (1-2%)