ANDIROBA OIL

PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL DATA AND APPLICATIONS

Andiroba oil (Carapas guianensis) is a rich source of essential fatty acids including oleic, palmitic, myristic and linoleic acids and contains no fatty components such as triterpenes, tannins, and alkaloids isolated as Andirobina and Carapina. This bitterness is attributed to a group of terpene chemicals called meliacins, which are very similar to the bitter antimalarial chemicals. Recently, one of these meliacins called gedunin was documented with pest control properties and antimalarial effect equal to that of quinine. Chemical analysis of Andiroba oil identified the anti-inflammatory, healing, and insect-repelling properties that are attributed to the presence of limonoids, named as andirobina . Especially after the patenting of a cream by the French Yves Rocher with moisturizing and anticellulite properties based on andiroba oil has created a boom in search of Andiroba oil in the market for cosmetics. The candle of andiroba is used as an effective repellent for the mosquito Aedes aegypti, vector of yellow fever and dengue. When burned it exudes an active agent that inhibits the hunger of the mosquito, therefore, it reduces its need to punch people. Research showed a 100% efficiency as a mosquito repellent, a result not found in any other product on the market designed to combat the mosquito. In addition to this property, the candle is completely nontoxic, produces no smoke and does not contain perfume.