Petitgrain Essential Oil

Petitgrain Essential Oil (Citrus aurantium var. amara): Steam Distilled Green Floral-Citrus Oil for Perfumery, Diffuser, Soap and Body Care

Petitgrain Essential Oil is steam distilled from the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium var. amara), with a fresh, green, woody and softly floral citrus aroma. It is used in colognes, perfumery, diffusers, soaps, body mists, room sprays and body care blends. It is a clear to pale yellow, free-flowing liquid with a 24 month shelf life, and COA and MSDS are available on request.

Petitgrain Essential Oil is the aromatic oil recovered from the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree by steam distillation. RV Organica’s Petitgrain Essential Oil is an Indian-origin, clear to pale yellow, mobile liquid with a fresh, green-floral scent, packed at our facility in Nimbri, Panipat, Haryana, and offered in sizes from 100 ml to 25 kg.

What is petitgrain essential oil and how is it made?

Petitgrain comes from the bitter orange tree, Citrus aurantium var. amara. The name is French for little grains, because the oil was first made from the small, unripe green fruits. Today it is made from the leaves and twigs, which are harvested and steam distilled. The steam carries the volatile aroma compounds away, and when it cools, the oil separates from the water and is collected. No solvents are used. The same tree gives three different oils: petitgrain from the leaves and twigs, neroli from the flowers, and bitter orange oil from the peel.

Its scent comes mainly from linalyl acetate at 40 to 55 percent and linalool at 15 to 28 percent, with geranyl acetate, geraniol, myrcene, β-pinene, nerol and neryl acetate in smaller amounts. Linalyl acetate gives petitgrain its smooth, fruity-floral softness, while linalool adds a clean floral lift. ISO 8901:2003 specifies characteristics used to assess the quality of cultivated bitter orange petitgrain oil, and the COA for your batch is the document to read against it.

What does petitgrain essential oil smell like?

Petitgrain smells fresh, green and woody, with a delicate floral heart and a light, bitter-citrus edge, like orange leaves crushed between the fingers. It is less sweet and less sharp than citrus peel oils and more herbal than neroli. This clean, balanced character is why it has been a classic ingredient in eau de cologne for centuries.

How do you use petitgrain essential oil in a diffuser?

Add a few drops to a diffuser for a fresh, green, floral-citrus atmosphere. It suits bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms and workspaces, and it blends smoothly with almost any other oil. For a soft, calming floral blend, pair it with lavender essential oil. For a brighter citrus one, use it with bergamot essential oil. Our citrus oils collection has more ideas for building a citrus accord.

How do you use petitgrain essential oil in body oils and body sprays?

Always dilute petitgrain oil before it touches the skin. It dissolves in alcohol and fixed oils but not in water, so mix it into a carrier oil first. The right ratio depends on how much you are making and where it will be used, and our essential oil dilution calculator works it out for you. Once diluted, it adds a fresh, green-floral note to body oils, massage blends, lotions and bath products. In alcohol-based body mists and colognes, it gives a clean, classic freshness. Do a patch test first and avoid direct sunlight on treated skin.

Can you use petitgrain essential oil in soap, candles, room sprays and perfume?

Yes. In soap and body care bases, add it at the level your formulation recommends. In room sprays and linen mists, it gives a clean, uplifting scent. In candles, test a small batch first, because light citrus-floral scents are delicate and scent throw changes with wax type and wick size. In perfumery it is a classic top-to-heart note in colognes and fougère compositions, and it pairs well with neroli, bergamot, lavender, clary sage, rosemary, geranium, cedarwood, sandalwood, ylang ylang and frankincense.

What are the specifications of petitgrain essential oil?

The botanical name is Citrus aurantium var. amara, the CAS number is 8014-17-3 and the FEMA number is 2855. The oil has a specific gravity of 0.870 to 0.890 at 25°C, a refractive index of 1.452 to 1.466 at 25°C, a flash point above 60°C, an acid value of up to 1.5 mg KOH/g and moisture content of up to 0.5 percent. It is a clear to pale yellow, free-flowing liquid with a fresh, woody, floral and green odour with a slightly citrusy note. The shelf life is 24 months from the date of manufacture, and the oil is soluble in alcohol and fixed oils and practically insoluble in water.

How should you store petitgrain essential oil?

Keep the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dark place away from heat and direct sunlight. Close the cap straight after each use, because air and light speed up oxidation and dull the aroma over time. Stored well, the oil keeps its quality for the full 24 month shelf life.

Is petitgrain essential oil safe to use?

Petitgrain essential oil is for external use only. Do not ingest it. Always dilute it in a carrier oil before applying it to the skin, do a patch test first, and avoid direct sunlight on treated skin. Keep it away from children and pets, and consult a doctor before use if you are pregnant or nursing. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Can you buy petitgrain essential oil in bulk?

Yes. The oil is available in 100 ml, 500 ml, 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 20 kg and 25 kg packs, which suits home users, small makers and manufacturers. COA and MSDS can be requested for each batch. For wholesale or private label enquiries, write to info@rvorganica.com.

About RV Organica

RV Organica is the brand of RV International, an essential oil manufacturer in India based at Nimbri, Panipat, Haryana 132104. Our work is backed by ISO 22000, Halal, Kosher, HACCP and MSME registration. For questions about this oil or bulk supply, contact us at info@rvorganica.com or +91 8937003005