Chemical Changes in Cinnamon Oil During the Preparation of the Bark; Biosynthesis of Cinnamaldehyde and Related Compounds – Studies on Cinnamomum ceylanicum, II¹

Abstract

Cinnamon oil obtained by steam distillation of the fresh cinnamon bark contains an appreciable content of cinnamyl acetate. When the bark is subjected to a procedure similar to that employed in its commercial preparation, conversion of cinnamyl acetate to cinnamaldehyde and other oil components occurs. This explains the relatively low proportion of acetate found in the B.P.C. oil and in the official bark. Feeding experiments have also indicated, however, that labelled phenylalanine and cinnamic acid are incorporated in cinnamaldehyde and cinnamyl acetate. The results thus demonstrate the existence of an overall reduction sequence for the formation of these compounds from cinnamic acid, together with a largely hydrolytic and/or oxidative sequence transforming cinnamyl acetate to cinnamaldehyde.

Key Word Index

Cinnamon Bark - Preparation - Oil Biosynthesis - Cinnamaldehyde