Бензоїн

The chemical compound benzoin, 2-hydroxy-1,2-diphenylethanone, is distinct from the resin. The primary active ingredient of the resin is benzoic acid, not benzoin.

Siam and Sumatra: two benzoins

There are two common kinds of benzoin, Siam and Sumatra. Siam benzoin and Lao benzoin are the same product, obtained from Styrax tonkinensis. Styrax tonkinensis is found across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Lao PDR is the major producer of Siam benzoin, and Viet Nam is believed to produce much smaller amounts intermittently.

Sumatra benzoin is obtained from Styrax paralleloneurus and Styrax benzoin. Indonesia, specifically north Sumatra, is the only producer of Sumatra benzoin. Sumatra benzoin contains cinnamic acid in addition to benzoic acid, unlike Siam benzoin. Gum benzoin contains up to 20% benzoic acid and 40% benzoic acid esters.

Production

Annual production of Siam benzoin is around 50 tonnes. Annual production of Sumatra benzoin is of the order of 1,000 tonnes, a figure based on Indonesian export data. The actual figure for genuine benzoin could be as low as half this, about 500 tonnes. Some of this benzoin contains damar, which is used in the manufacture of benzoin block.

Production of Siam benzoin in Laos is centred in the mountainous northern provinces of Luang Prabang, Phong Saly, Houaphan and Oudomxay. Luang Prabang is the chief province for benzoin production, with some 3,000 ha of styrax forests above 700 m elevation in two districts.

Incense, medicine and other uses

Benzoin is used chiefly for incense purposes and in the flavouring, fragrance and pharmaceutical industries. Gum benzoin is a major component of the type of church incense used in Russia and some other Eastern Orthodox Christian societies, as well as Latin Catholic churches. In the Arabian Peninsula and in Hindu temples of India, benzoin is burned on charcoal as an incense.

In the United States, Sumatra benzoin is used in pharmaceuticals and Siam benzoin is used as a flavouring agent and fragrance. Benzoin is also used in cosmetics, veterinary medicine and scented candles. As a flavouring it goes into alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, baked goods, chewing gum, frozen dairy, gelatins, puddings and soft candy. In anesthesia and surgery, it is used as an adhesive to secure wound and catheter dressing and is available as a sterile preparation. Friar's balsam is a pungent solution of benzoin resin in ethanol.

Benzoin in PREMIEREPEAU

Benzoin appears in two PREMIEREPEAU fragrances. NUIT ÉLASTIQUE, composed by Ugo Charron, has benzoin among its materials, with styrax, labdanum and cistus, next to jasmine, magnolia, cedar and sandalwood. SIMILI MIRAGE, composed by Claire Liégent, lists benzoin and styrax with leather, olibanum, thyme and sea salt.