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BIS Proposes Revision to Oil of Mentha Citrata Standard Image

BIS Proposes Revision to Oil of Mentha Citrata Standard

Date
11 Jun 2026

Reference source : BIS

Indian Standard BIS Chemicals Packaging India

On 3 June 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) circulated a wide circulation draft for the first revision of the standard titled Oil of Mentha Citrata — Specification prepared by the Technical Committee on Fragrance and Flavour (PCD 18). The proposed revision aims to update the requirements and specifications for oil of mentha citrata to ensure product quality, consistency, and alignment with current industry practices. 

Stakeholders, industry experts, manufacturers, testing laboratories, and other interested parties are invited to review the draft and submit comments or suggestions for further improvement.  

The last date for submission of comments is 2 August 2026. 

Background 
Oil of Mentha citrata CAS No.68917-15-7 is an essential oil derived from bergamot mint, primarily used in perfumery applications. With increasing cultivation and production in India, the oil has gained commercial significance. The revision of the standard seeks to ensure consistent quality requirements and facilitate its wider industrial and commercial use. 

Key Changes Proposed in the Revised Standard  

  • Updated requirements for odour. 

  • Changed the reference temperature for determining relative density and refractive index from 25°C to 20°C, in line with global practices. 

  • Revised requirements for relative density and refractive index. 

  • Introduced Gas Chromatographic (GC) analysis as an alternative method for determining total alcohols, calculated as linalool. 

  • Made structural changes to improve the clarity and presentation of the standard. 

The following table specifies the Oil of Mentha Citrata requirements: 

Sl. No. 

Characteristics 

Requirements 

1 

Realtive density1) at 20 °C/20 °C 

0.879 7 to 0.8940 

2 

Optical Rotation, [𝛼]𝐷 20 

(-) 7° to (-) 8° 

3 

Refractive Index2) at 20 °C 

1.455 9 to 1.4640 

4 

Acid value (using 10 g of sample), Max 

1.0 

5 

Esters, calculated as linalyl acetate (C12 H20 O2), percent by mass, Min 

38.00 

6 

Total alcohols, calculated as linalool (C10H18O), percent by mass/area 

80 to 90 

 

Packing and Marking Requirements 

  • The material must be packed in airtight containers (preferably amber glass, aluminium, or tin-plated) and stored in a cool, dry place protected from light.  

  • The containers shall be marked with the product name (including "food grade"), manufacturer details, net quantity, batch number, date of manufacture, and any other statutory information.  

  • Products that conform to the standard may bear the BIS Standard Mark under the applicable conformity assessment scheme. 

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