Description:

Jasmine (genus Jasminum) is a highly aromatic and ornamental plant, widely admired for the sweet and heady fragrance of its flowers. As part of the Oleaceae family, jasmine includes around 200 species native to tropical and warm temperate regions across Eurasia, Africa, and Oceania. These species are cultivated for their flowers, which are commonly used in the perfume industry due to their intense, pleasing scent. The most well-known species for its fragrance is Jasminum sambac, which is native to areas spanning the Arabian Peninsula, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Its flowers are particularly valued in perfumery and for ornamental use. The fragrance is a complex blend of compounds, including benzyl alcohol, methyl benzoate, linalool, and a variety of other esters, lactones, and terpenes. These volatile organic compounds contribute to the distinctive, rich, and floral aroma of jasmine. The village of Shubra Beloula in Egypt is one of the key global sources for jasmine used in perfumery. The flowers are harvested at night, as they release their fragrance most intensely in the evening and early morning. To extract the fragrance, a labor-intensive process called solvent extraction is used to obtain jasmine absolute, a concentrated and highly valued oil used in perfumes and aromatherapy. A specific component found in jasmine is jasmone, a volatile organic compound that contributes to the floral scent. It exists in two isomeric forms, cis-jasmone and trans-jasmone, with the natural extract primarily containing the cis form. Jasmone is a colorless to pale yellow liquid that has a distinct, earthy note and is often used in perfumery Jasmine’s use is not just limited to perfumes but extends into the realm of aromatherapy, with its essential oil from Jasminum officinale being particularly prized for its calming and mood-enhancing effects. However, due to the labor-intensive harvesting and extraction process, jasmine oil is considered expensive and is typically used in low concentrations in fragrances.