A research team led by Nicolas Baldovini of the Institute de Chimie de Nice have identified two previously unknown molecules in frankincense. These molecules have been established as the key reason behind the unique scent of frankincense, described as the "old church " smell.
Frankincense is derived from the resin of gum trees of the genus Boswellia. Frankincense was one of the important components in perfumes of the Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Archaeological evidence suggests that frankincense was burned as incense in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. According to Archaeology, the Holy Bible also mentions frankincense as one of the gifts to King Solomon from Queen of Sheba and as of the three Magi gifts to baby Jesus of Nazareth.
Like many naturally occurring aromatic raw products, the key components found in frankincense were never clearly understood. The research team led by Nicolas Baldovini found the process of isolating the newly discovered compounds a very tough challenge. Baldovini and his colleagues had to painstakingly break down the essential oil of frankincense into the primary parts through a multi-step procedure involving distillation and extraction. Human sniff testers were even used to determine the fractions responsible for the aroma of frankincense.
During the process, the researchers established a unique and interesting "odor zone," according to Live Science. The smell resembled that of the "typical balsamic, old church-like endnote of frankincense." The molecules responsible for the smell were found to be one (+)-trans- and one (+)-cis-2- octylcyclopropyl-1-carboxylic acid.
The two new compounds are named olibanic acids and are mirror images of each other when it comes to chemical structures. The new compounds are found in extremely low levels, around less than 100 parts per million in the essential oil of frankincense.
Baldovini express surprise that the previously unknown compounds were behind the distinctive small of frankincense. The research team was able to synthesize artificial versions of the new molecules as well
Baldovini said that a patent for the use of these newly discovered compounds for fragrance formulation has been registered by the team. .The synthetic versions of the new molecules could be used in the perfume industry.