Abstract

RECENT ADVANCEMENTS IN PHARMACEUTICAL IMPORTANCE AND UTILIZATION OF SANDAL SEED OIL

Soundararajan V.*, Ravi Kumar G., Muthu Kumar A., and Shetteppanavar V.S.

ABSTRACT

Sandalwood is recognized worldwide as one of the most valuable and economically important commercial tree species. Sandalwood seed oil is contains acetylenic fatty oil produced from the seed kernel and it has very different properties from the essential oil, which is derived from the heartwood. Due to high value of sandalwood and its oil and rising demand in domestic and international markets, prices have skyrocketed. Smuggling of Sandalwood has created socio-economic and law and order problems in all Sandalwood producing states. The regulation and possession of sandalwood is dealt under state government transit rules in India. Sandalwood cultivations have been picked up in traditional and non traditional area due to various Indian State Government Amendment rules relaxed for cultivation and ownership of sandalwood. Forest departments and private growers towards expansion of plantations have added to the resource building of this valuable tree. Sandalwood tree can start fruiting from the age of 3- 4 years and the huge fruiting will obtained at the age of 7 years or after. There is noteworthy difference in seasonality and locality of flowering and fruiting. Young age of sandalwood tree can produce seeds however it can’t be used for the nursery purpose. Sandalwood seeds are being considered as a valuable secondary income generating product. Sandalwood Seed oil contains a fat rich in Ximenynic Acid (Santalbic acid). Recently the different aspect of the research has been done on Sandalwood Seed oil concerning to pharmacy and pharmacology therapeutic. This paper described about the recent improvement of Pharmaceutical importance and exploitation of sandalwood seed oil.

Keywords: Sandalwood, Sandalwood Seed Oil, Ximenynic Acid, Santalbic acid, Santalum species, Pharmaceutical importance, Pharmacology, Therapeutic Uses.