ABSTRACT
Petitgrain bigarade oil is obtained by steam-distillation of the leaves, or of the leaves, young branches and immature fruits of the bitter orange tree. It is widely used in perfumery for the sweet and fresh note it gives to colognes and lotions. The oils produced in the Mediterranean area are said to have better odor properties than those produced in Paraguay. Petitgrain bigarade oil is also employed in the fabrication of soaps because of its good resistance to an alkaline medium. Petitgrain bigarade oil is a pale yellow to amber yellow clear mobile liquid with a slight blue fluorescence, which has a fresh ethereal, slightly orange and green odor. Contact allergy to/allergic contact dermatitis from petit-grain bigarade oil has been reported in four publications only. In a group of consecutive patients suspected of contact dermatitis, a prevalence rate of 0.5% positive patch test reactions has been observed; relevance data are lacking.
