| abstract |
A process is disclosed for the preparation of citrus oils which are essentially pesticide free. The essentially pesticide-free citrus oil is prepared by gently distilling raw citrus oil in a short-path distillation column whereby the essentially pesticide-free citrus peel oil is collected as the distillant. Suitable citrus oils include citrus peel oils and citrus stripper oils with citrus peel oils being preferred. The essentially pesticide-free citrus peel oil generally contains less than about 1.6 ppm total pesticides, preferably less than about 0.5 ppm total pesticides, more preferably less than 0.1 ppm total pesticides, and most preferably less than 0.05 ppm total pesticides. The distillation residue contains essentially all the pesticides contained in the raw citrus peel oil. The essentially pesticide-free citrus oil, especially the essentially pesticide-free orange peel oil, can be used as a food additive (especially as an additive in orange juice) to enhance aroma and flavor characteristics and as a non-food additive in perfumes, soaps, cosmetics, lotions, and the like. |