Six commercial "sandalwood" oils, none compliant with the standard
Laboratory6 oils sold as sandalwoodGC-MSISO 3518:2002 standard
Only one oil contains both the α- and β-santalols of Santalum album. In three samples, valerianol, elemol, eudesmol isomers and caryophyllene dominate: this is the signature of amyris. Two others are synthetic blends. The label was correct for only three products out of six4.
Even true sandalwood oils depart from the standard
LaboratoryCommercial and historical oilsGC-MS
No oil analyzed meets the 90% santalol standard, and only about half meet recent ISO standards. Most Santalum album oils contain 50 to 70% santalols. The authors propose at least 43% α-santalol and 18% β-santalol5.
A material exposed to fraud
Review2023 review
Sandalwood essential oils are among the botanical ingredients at risk of adulteration, most often by substitution or dilution for financial reasons6. Requiring a batch analysis is essential.