• Mandarin
  • Mandarin

Mandarin

  • Scientific Name
    Citrus reticulata
  • Family
    Rutaceae
  • Origin
    Italy, Spain, Brazil, USetc.

CONTENTS

Plant description

Mandarins belong to the Rutaceae family and are cold-resistant, growing even in hot and humid climates, with green leaves and small white flowers. The fruit is bright orange in color and rich in vitamin C. The name “mandarin” is believed to be associated with the bright orange clothing worn by high-ranking Chinese officials, known as “mandarins.” Additionally, dried mandarin peel is used in traditional Chinese herbal remedies, such as Chenbark. Mandarin trees are widely cultivated in Europe and the Mediterranean region, where they have become a staple crop. Mandarin oil is produced in various regions, including Brazil, Spain, Italy, and the US.

Essential oil composition

Mandarin

  • Mandarin

  • INCI
    CITRUS NOBILIS (MANDARIN ORANGE) PEEL OIL
  • Parts of Plant Used
    Peel
  • Extraction Method
    Cold Press
  • Extraction Rate
    0.7%
  • Notes
    Top
  • Aroma Family
    Citrus

Mandarin Essential Oil Properties & Uses

About 0.7% of Mandarin's essential oil is obtained by cold press from its peel, which is orange to slightly reddish in color.The yield is higher when grown in temperate regions with cooler temperatures. The main components include limonene, terpinene, and myrcene. The aroma is characterized by its depth, refreshment, and slight sweetness, with a subtle green undertone. It imparts a profound, clean, heartwarming, and gentle impression, occasionally with a slight hint of hardness. Fragrances can vary among manufacturers and batches, and some oils may appear slightly oily. Therefore, it's advisable to evaluate the fragrance before use. The scent can also differ depending the harvest time, whether the mandarins are red or green. Overall, it has a pleasant and familiar aroma that harmonizes well with many other essential oils. When blended with less favorable aromas or in situations where a blend doesn't harmonize well, Mandarin can contribute to creating a well-balanced aroma. The fragrance strength is weak, allowing for easy balancing by adding a little more to achieve the desired blend.

Essential oil composition

Essential oil composition

※An example of one batch production is shown here.

  • Limonene　73.36%
  • γ-Terpinene　17.51%
  • α-Pinene　2.11%
  • Myrcene　1.80%
  • β-Pinene　1.43%
  • p-Cymene　1.20%
  • Methyl N-methyl anthranilate　0.49％
  • Other components　2.10％

Functions and Efficacies

α-Pinene

α-Pinene
  • IUPAC Name
    (+)-α-Pinene: (1R,5R)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene
    (-)-α-Pinene: (1S,5S)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16
  • Molecular Weight
    136.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    (+)-α-Pinene: 7785-70-8
    (-)-α-Pinene: 7785-26-4
  • Structure
    Bicyclic monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of α-Pinene

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction ○
Anti-bacterial Effects ○
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○

Stress Reduction

A study reported that brain tumors in mice that inhaled the fragrance of α-pinene became smaller. However, no melanoma cell growth was observed with the addition of α-pinene, indicating a potential psychological effect .1)

Anti-bacterial Effects

A study reported that α-pinene had an inhibitory effect on the growth of blue staining fungi, both when exposed to gas and when added to the culture medium2)

Anti-inflammatory Effects

It is known that the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells induces the production of nitric oxide (NO), a substance that causes inflammation. A study reported that the production of NO was suppressed by the addition of α-pinene.3)

  • 1)Kusuhara et al., Biomedical Research, 2012
  • 2)岡村、木材保存、
  • 3)Kwak et al., Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 2019

Limonene

Limonene
  • IUPAC Name
    1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexene
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16
  • Molecular Weight
    136.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    138-86-3
  • Structure
    Monocyclic monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of Limonene

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction ○
Memory Improvement ○ ○
Anti-cancer Effects ○ ○ ○

Stress Reduction

A study reported that mice subjected to cold stress at 4°C (41°F) exhibited reduced elevations in blood corticosterone levels when treated with limonene. Furthermore, the same report demonstrated that limonene effectively lowered corticosterone levels in the blood of mice exposed to both physical and mental stress.1)

Memory Improvement

A study reported that when acetylcholinesterase reacts with acetylthiocholine in phosphate-buffered saline, the introduction of limonene inhibits the degradation by acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase plays a role in the breakdown of acetylcholine, a hormone associated with memory and learning. In the same report, it was also noted that limonene suppressed memory impairment induced by scopolamine administration in rats.2)

Anti-cancer Effects

A report indicated that the consumption of limonene by breast cancer patients resulted in reduced expression of Cyclin D1, a protein crucial for cell division, within tumors.3)Furthermore, numerous other studies have also documented the anticancer properties of limonene.4)5)

  • 1)Fukumoto et al., Stress and Health, 2008
  • 2)Zhou et al., Nutritional Neuroscience,, 2013
  • 3)Miller et al., Cancer Prevntion Research, 2013
  • 4)Ajikumaran Nair S et al., Phytomedicine, 2018
  • 5)Chaudhary et al., Human & Experimental Toxicology, 2012

IFRA

Citrus oils and other furocoumarins containing essential oils：
Furocoumarins (bergaptenes) in the final product is restricted to less than 15ppm due to the possibility of phototoxicity caused by them contained in citrus essential oils.

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

Limonene：
Oxidized limonene can cause dermal sensitization. For essential oils with a high limonene content, it is advisable to use only when the level of peroxides is maintained at a minimum (20 mol/l) through the incorporation of antioxidants.

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

References
Jennie Harding [Handbook of Essential Oil and Plant Oil] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2010.
Shinichiro Otsuki/Yukiko Ozaki [Scientific Name Etymology Dictionary of Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2009.
Jennie Harding [Illustrated Reference Book of Herbs] Sancho Publishing, 2012.
Freddy Ghozland/Xavier Fernandez [L’Herbier Parfume] Hara Publishing, 2013.
Kyohei Mikami [Comprehensive Guide to Essential Oils] Fragrance Journal, 2010.
Yuzuru Ogura [Dictionary of Plants] Tokyo-do Publishing, 1957.
Nobuo Ohashi [Dictionary of Medical Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2016.
Wanda Sellar [The directory of essential oils] Fragrance Journal, 1992.
Aroma Environment Association of Japan [AEAJ Aromatherapy Certification Official Textbook grade1&2] Sekaibunka, 1999.
Robert Tissearand [Essential Oil Safety] Fragrance Journal, 2018.
Ayako Berg [Aromatherapy Essential Oil Dictionary] Seibido Shuppan, 2022.
Azusa Annells [Enjoying Fragrance: An Illustrated Book of Aromas with Characteristics]Natsumesha CO.,LTD., 2023
International Fragrance Association, Citrus oils and other furocoumarins containing essential oils, 2020.
International Fragrance Association, Limonene, 1995.
(All written in or translated to Japanese.)
Supervisor
Yamamoto Perfumery co., ltd.

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