[Graphic explanation] Difference of absolute, concrete, oleoresin, resinoid

Hello. I’m Fig working in a flavor and fragrance industry for over 10 years.

What is the difference between absolute, concrete, oleoresin and resinoid?

It depends on what is being extracted (flowers, fruits, resins, etc.).

Table 1  Extract and Target

These are extracted by organic solvent (hexane, acetone, etc.).

A concrete is extracted from flowers. An absolute is extracted from a concrete. An oleoresin is extracted from fruit, leaf, bark, root, stem, etc. A resinoid is extracted from balsam, resin, gum resin, etc.

Extract example 　black tea

In case of black tea, the target is tea leaf.

You add hot water in the tea leaf and stir. Then the catechin and flavor move to hot water. You remove the tea leafs and pour a cup. The elegant tea time will start.

The amount of catechin and flavor are changed by the extraction time and the temperature of hot water.

Common words are showed as the following.

• hot water : solvent
• tea leaf    : target
• stirring     : extraction

concrete, oleoresin, resinoid

Targets are flower, fruit, leaf, bark, resin, etc. The extract naming is changed by the targets. Normally hexane and acetone are used as solvent. You need to remove the solvent to get the extract.

A concrete is extracted from flowers like rose and jasmine. An oleoresin is extracted from pepper, ginger, celery, etc. A resinoid is extracted from resin, castorium, ambergris, etc. The extract method is the same in oleoresins and resinoids. But the naming are changed by the purpose.

• for flavor         : oleoresin
• for fragrance  : resinoid

absolute

At first, you add the solvent (ethanol) in concrete. After the freezing (-20 degree Celsius), wax appear. After removing the insolubles and the solvent, you get absolute. Concrete has much wax, but absolute has less wax.

Summery

Table   Extract and Target

• for flavor         : oleoresin
• for fragrance  : resinoid