Sandalwood Essential Oil

 

Sandalwood Essential Oil (CAS 8006-87-9, INCI name -distilled essential oil standardized to >90% santalol, distilled from Santalum album heartwood. Baisifu supplies food-grade, BP/USP and Ph.Eur. equivalent batches from a Xi’an facility, with every drum shipped with a COA, allergen declaration and IFRA documentation.

Botanical identity and chemistry

Sandalwood Essential Oil is the steam-distilled volatile oil obtained from the heartwood of Santalum album L., a hemiparasitic evergreen of the Santalaceae family native to South India and cultivated across the tropics for its precious, slow-formed heartwood. The oil is dominated by alpha-santalol and beta-santalol, two sesquiterpene alcohols whose rich, warm, smooth-woody, sweet character makes Indian sandalwood oil one of the most valued base-note materials in perfumery.

Distillation and standardisation

Heartwood is harvested from mature trees (typically 15 years or older), chipped and charged to stainless-steel stills for steam distillation at atmospheric pressure; the long distillation cycle (12 to 24 hours) reflects the high-boiling sesquiterpene alcohol profile. The crude oil is decanted, dried and standardised in-house to a minimum of 90 percent total santalol by GC-MS against reference markers. Baisifu does not dilute with synthetic santalol or blend in other Santalum species; every drum is single-botanical-source S. album heartwood oil.

Active profile by GC-MS

Beyond the two principal santalol peaks, the GC-MS fingerprint carries a reproducible secondary cast of santalene, santalic acid, terasantalol and farnesol. Baisifu records the full chromatogram on each COA; the alpha-to-beta-santalol ratio is a sensitive indicator of the Santalum species and the tree maturity, and the santalic acid level contributes the distinctive deep, smooth, sweet-woody character that distinguishes genuine Indian sandalwood from synthetic or substitute species.

Physical and sensory behaviour

The oil is a clear to slightly viscous, pale-yellow liquid with a density near 0.97 g/cm3, a refractive index around 1.505 at 20 degrees Celsius and a boiling point above 250 degrees. Its odour is a rich, warm, smooth-woody, sweet base note with excellent tenacity and fixative properties; in perfumery it is a classic base-note material that blends with floral, oriental, chypre and woody accords and is one of the most prized ingredients in fine fragrance, valued for its depth, smoothness and unmatched fixative character.

Typical applications

Sandalwood Essential Oil enters the following formulation workflows:

• fine fragrance and luxury perfumery
• skin-care and cosmetic botanicals
• aromatherapy and meditation blends
• incense and ceremonial formulations
• oriental and woody fragrance accords
• fixative for volatile compositions

Formulation and blending notes

The oil is miscible with ethanol and fixed oils and soluble in propylene glycol at typical use levels, though solubility may require gentle warming because of the high sesquiterpene alcohol content. Sandalwood has no significant phototoxicity and carries a relatively wide IFRA margin, which makes it a preferred base-note material for leave-on skin formats. The oil is stable and long-lasting, and it is one of the few materials that can anchor a full composition as a single-ingredient base.

COA and batch documentation

Each drum ships with a Certificate of Analysis carrying the GC-MS chromatogram, alpha- and beta-santalol assay, santalene flag, specific gravity, refractive index, heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg) and pesticide residue screen. An allergen declaration, an IFRA conformity statement and a Statement of Origin complete the pack, giving QC and regulatory teams a single-shipment document set.

Regulatory and compliance

Sandalwood oil is generally recognised as safe in fragrance applications and is permitted under the IFRA Code of Practice with a relatively wide margin. Santalum album is a CITES Appendix II listed species; the export documentation includes the applicable CITES permit where required. Under EU CLP the concentrated oil is classified as hazardous (flammable liquid category 3, aspiration toxicant category 1, skin sensitiser category 1), so Hazmat labelling and UN 1993 shipping names apply for bulk movement.

Packaging, storage and supply

Sandalwood Essential Oil is filled into 180 kg HDPE drums or 25 kg sample drums, nitrogen-blanketed and sealed under COA. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; the recommended storage temperature is 15 to 25 degrees Celsius with a shelf life of 36 months from manufacture in original sealed packaging, though the oil remains stable well beyond this period. Baisifu ships ex-Xi’an, MOQ 25 kg for sample development and 500 kg and above for production orders; standard lead time 10 to 15 days depending on batch availability, with express air freight on request.

Questions buyers ask

What santalol level can you guarantee?

The standardised grade is assayed by GC-MS to a minimum of 90 percent total santalol (alpha and beta combined) against reference markers; the exact figures, the alpha-to-beta-santalol ratio and the full secondary fingerprint are printed on the COA of every drum.

Is this genuine Indian sandalwood?

Baisifu supplies Santalum album heartwood oil; the Statement of Origin and CITES documentation confirm the species. The alpha-to-beta-santalol ratio on the COA distinguishes S. album from other Santalum species such as S. spicatum (Australian sandalwood).

Can you provide CITES documentation?

Yes. Santalum album is a CITES Appendix II listed species; the export documentation includes the applicable CITES permit where required. State the destination and we will confirm the documentation pack before shipment.

Need specifications, COA, or a wholesale quote? Contact Baisifu — typical response within 24 hours.