Overview
Styrax is a natural resin obtained from various Liquidambar tree species, particularly Liquidambar orientalis (Asian styrax) and Liquidambar styraciflua (American styrax). This aromatic balsam has been traded since ancient times, mentioned in Egyptian papyri and traditional Chinese medicine texts. The resin is collected by making incisions in the tree bark, allowing the viscous exudate to harden before collection. Modern commercial styrax comes primarily from Turkey (Levant styrax) and Central America. The resin contains a complex mixture of aromatic compounds, including cinnamic acid esters, vanillin, and styrene. Its warm, sweet-balsamic aroma makes it prized in perfumery as a base note and fixative.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Styrax appears as a brown, viscous liquid that gradually hardens to a brittle mass when exposed to air. It has a characteristic sweet, balsamic odor reminiscent of vanilla and cinnamon. The resin contains approximately 20-30% volatile compounds, with the remainder consisting of resin acids and esters. Chemically, styrax is notable for containing significant amounts of cinnamyl cinnamate (styracin), phenylpropyl cinnamate, and free cinnamic acid. These components contribute to its antimicrobial properties. The resin exhibits good solubility in alcohol and essential oils but only partial solubility in water. Its viscosity decreases with warming, making it easier to handle during industrial processing.
Main Applications
In perfumery, styrax serves as a valuable fixative that enhances the longevity of fragrance compositions. It forms part of the classic amber accord and is used in oriental and chypre perfumes. The fragrance industry accounts for approximately 60% of global styrax consumption. Traditional medicine systems employ styrax as an expectorant and antimicrobial agent. It appears in pharmacopeias as a component of compound benzoin tinctures. The food industry uses purified styrax extracts as flavoring agents, particularly in tobacco products and some confectioneries. Additionally, styrax remains important in religious ceremonies as incense, especially in Eastern Orthodox Christian traditions.
Safety and Storage
Styrax resin requires careful handling due to potential allergenicity. The undiluted resin may cause skin irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Proper ventilation is essential when heating styrax to prevent respiratory irritation from volatile components. For storage, keep styrax in airtight containers made of glass or approved plastics, protected from light and heat. Optimal storage temperatures range between 15-25°C. Under proper conditions, the resin maintains stability for 3-5 years. Industrial users should conduct patch tests when introducing new batches, as composition can vary depending on botanical source and harvest conditions.
B2B Procurement Guide
When sourcing styrax commercially, verify the botanical origin (L. orientalis commands premium pricing) and extraction method. Steam-distilled essential oils differ significantly in composition from solvent-extracted absolutes. Request certificates of analysis for key parameters including cinnamic acid content (typically 15-30%) and solvent residues. For bulk pharmaceutical or food-grade applications, ensure suppliers provide appropriate documentation meeting regulatory requirements (USP/EP standards where applicable). Consider purchasing smaller test quantities before large orders due to natural variability. Sustainable sourcing is increasingly important - look for suppliers practicing ethical tapping methods that don't endanger Liquidambar populations.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：四氢噻吩、乙硫醇、单氰胺、乙酸苏合香酯样品实验、二甲基二硫醚、3-甲硫基丙醛、四氢吡咯、邻氯苯腈、噻吩、盐酸羟胺、硬脂酸锌、异丙胺、氯乙酸、氟硼酸
- 主营：环戊酮、甲酸镍、阻燃剂、肟菌酯、草酸镧、钼酸铵、催化剂、钒酸铋、溴氨酸、硝酸锆、碳酸镧、白僵菌、磷酸铁、钨酸酐、氟化镧、视黄醇、叔丁醇、杀螨剂、杀虫剂、醋酸钬、抗粘剂、氟化镥、氢化钠、氯铂酸、氟化镁
- 主营：阻燃剂、乙酸镍、乙酸镝、乙酸苏合香酯、硫酸锂、硫酸锶、溴氨酸、香茅醇、肌氨酸、锂电池、四氢萘、磷酸铬、碳酸镁、碳酸镍、防冻剂、磷酸铝、叔丁醇、氟苯基、浮选剂、稀释剂、羟乙基、去除剂、庚二酸、除磷剂、十八烯、蛋白酶
- 主营：乙二醇、二甲基亚砜、丙二醇、对苯二甲酸二甲酯、精对苯二甲酸、己二酸、聚乙烯醇、聚乙二醇、木质素、甘油、三甘醇、己内酰胺、叔十二硫醇、白油、4-丁二醇
- 主营：全氟聚醚二醇、全氟三丁胺、聚硅氮烷、苏合香浸膏、特种硅油、特种硅树脂
- 主营：丙酸苏合香酯、全氟三丁胺、木质素、吉氏色素
- 主营：有机原料、中间体、香精香料、催化剂、有机硅、表面活性剂
- 主营：叔碳酸、十八醛、溶菌酶、vc磷酸酯镁、海藻糖、癸二醇、氨基丙基、氢路噻嗪、邻苯二甲、乙基碳二、羟基癸酸、正十七烷、谷胱甘肽、烷二甲醇、松果体素、2-甲基丁醛、朱栾倍半萜、丁烷四乙酸、表面活性剂、癸烷撑二醇、缩水甘油邻、10-羟基羊蜡酸、氢氯噻嗪杂质、盐酸邻菲罗啉、壳聚糖季铵盐
- 主营：化学品、香精香料、试剂、丁酸苏合香酯、中间体、有机硅、橡胶树脂、催化剂、纳米材料
- 主营：全氟三丁胺、二苄叉山梨醇、六氟丙烯二聚体、苏合香油、六氟环氧丙烷二聚体、异丙醇铝、纳米勃姆石、二异戊基硫醚、隐色结晶紫、邻菲罗啉
- 主营：杜仲素、二氧化硫脲、乙基麦芽酚、对位酯、丙烯酸酯、饲料添加剂、油酸基硬脂酸、二苯基硅二醇
- 主营：5-三甲基己醛、正癸酸、樊多B醛、聚乙二醇甲醚甲基丙烯酸酯、山梨醇缩水甘油醚、聚苯胺、磷脂酸铵盐、谷胱甘肽、二氧化钒、三羟甲基氨基甲烷盐酸盐、3二羟基萘、二苯酮、庚酰氯、菲尼酮、茶香醇、苹果酸、菠萝醚
- 主营：四乙酰核糖、双乙酰阿昔洛韦、三乙酰更昔洛韦、苏合香油、N4-乙酰胞嘧啶、胞苷、腺嘌呤、吡唑胺、对羟基苯乙酮、半胱胺盐酸盐、钼酸钠、碳酸锆
- 主营：甜菊糖、氯乙酰、二乙苯、丙酸苏合香酯、酞菁绿、阻燃剂、4316-73-8、二戊烯、单甲醚、硫酸锂、4861-19-2、大理石、1192-62-7、羊脂酸、7783-40-6、磷酸氢、8002-74-2、7782-61-8、龙脑油、2842-44-6、聚甘油、二聚酸、戊二醇、聚醚f68、磺化油、1310-58-3
- 主营：二甲基亚砜、乙二醇、丙二醇、乙酸苏合香酯、DMAC