ABSTRACT
Given the variability that can exist for eucalyptus oils, even when they are produced from the same botanical source, there is clearly a need for some sort of standard or specification for oils of commerce so that the buyer, or prospective buyer, knows what he can expect when he makes a purchase. The larger commercial producers, particularly those which export their oil, usually offer their own specifications and, if requested, these can be passed on by dealers or importers to their own customers. Once the link between producer and buyer is firmly established, and the latter has seen that successive consignments meet the needs and expectations of his end-user customers, subsequent orders can be placed on the basis of mutual trust. The end user or formulator will usually monitor purchases by undertaking appropriate quality control tests. For medicinal oils, 1,8-cineole content (among other things) is important, while for perfumery oils the content of some specific constituent such as citronellal and/or the overall fragrance characteristics are important.
