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is obtained from the fruits of the apricot tree. The origin of the apricot tree is in China. The Romans brought it to the Mediaterranean region. Since the 18th century the tree has been cultivated in the USA. The harvest in Europe is in july. The apricot tree reaches a hight of three to four meters. Its fruits are round and four to eight cm big. The fruits are light yellow to orange red. Its kernels are hard and ovally shaped. The oil content of the kernels is 40% to 50%. To obtain the apricot kernel oil the fruits must be picked and the fruit flesh must be removed. The remaining kernels must be cleaned, split and the seeds extracted. Finally the seeds get pressed. The obtained oil is light yellow to yellow, tastes and smells nutty, like marzipan. It has a high content of essential fatty acid residues, vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids.

is a clear, corrosive, flammable liquid with sour taste and scent. It is manufactured by fermentation of ethanol or carbonylation of methanol or oxidation of acethaldehyde. Mixed with water it is termed as vinegar for household applications. The acetic acid is in Europe and Asia for many centuries now used as seasoning. The discovery of it is estimated at 5000 BC. In nature the acetic acid can be found in saps or essential oils.

is a sodium salt of the lactic acid. Sodium lactate belongs to the group of hydrating substances for the skin, that keeps the skin-own moisture and contributes to a slightly acidic pH value. The substances (glycerine, urea and organic acid) form together the Natural Moisturing Factor(NMF). In the EU sodium lactate is known as food additive E 325. The salt is easily soluble in water. The fluid is almost colourless and almost without scent or taste. Sodium lactate is also available in various concentrations (50 % / 60 %), on demand with adjusted pH value.

is a yellow to dark green oil with nutty, fruity taste. Grape seed oil is obtained from pomace by the process of wine pressing. The seeds get picked out of the pomace and subsequently the oil is obtained by pressing or extraction. For 1 l grape seed oil 40 kg seeds are needed, which are contained in 2 tons of grapes. The viticulture started 3500 BC with the Egyptians. The wine was spread by the Romans and Greeks in Europe. By now many types of it are available worldwide. The grape seed oil has already in the Middle Ages been used as cosmetics. The most important production countries are USA, France, Austria, Italy, Spain and Germany. The grape seeds are small, hard and are with 6 - 20 % oil content not really oily. Grape seed oil is characterized by its high content of antioxidants, linoleic acid and vitamin E. The smoke point is by at least 190 °C.

is obtained by water distillation of leaves and twigs of the tea tree. Since water and tea tree oil are hardly miscible, it is easy to seperate them. The yield, with this method of extraction, is about 6 %. The tea tree has its origin in Australia. It is an evergreen tree and can reach a height up to 10 meters. It has a white, papery bark and blossoms in spring. It bears small, cylindrical capsules. The aborigines use tea tree oil as therapeutical agent. It contains about 100 different substances and compounds, up to 40 % terpentinen-4-ol and up to 20 % terpinene. Its name probably comes from captain James Cook, who observed the aborigines, how they were making tea out of the tea tree leaves.

is obtained from the soybean. It is the second most produced plant oil worldwide with about 32 %. The leading producer countries are USA, Argentinia, Brazil and China. The soybean oil is a clear to yellowish liquid. It is a by-product of the cultivation of soybean. It is mainly used for animal feed. The oil is obtained by the extraction or refining process of soybean (Glycine max L). Cold pressing is not profitable with this oil. The soybean has its origin in Northeast Asia and came over China to the USA. Soy is a herbaceous plant that belongs to the pulses. Its life time is about one year. The soybean oil is a raw and untreated oil that is because of its bitter and unhealthy substances unsuitable for food preperation. The oil has a high content of unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acids). It contains vitamin E, vitamin K, minerals and trace elements. Because of its composition it is good for strengthening the immune system and to prevent heart and circulatory problems.

almond oil is obtained from the ripe, paring free seeds of the almond tree Prunus. The tree belongs to the family of Rosaceae. The oil is obtained by cold pressing. Subsequently refined or it just stays natural. The dried almonds get squeezed after removing impurities and paring. After pressing, the oil stays for various days untouched so that slimy components are able to settle. These components get removed after filter pressing. The residuals of the filter pressing get sold as almond meal. It contains up to 10% fatty oil. 1 t almonds are needed to get about 400 l almond oil.

is a sodium salt of benzoic acid. In nature it is contained in fruits and berries. For normal use it is sythesized from the benzoic acid. The salt is a white, crystal solid matter, that is soluble in water and odorless. The product is not used as animal feed as it is extremly poisoning for animals. Sodium benzoate has an antibacterial effect and prevents fungus formation.

is obtained from the seeds of the ricinus communis. It belongs to the family of euphorbiaceae and contains 40 % - 50 % oil. Its origin is in West and North Africa. Characteristic properties: *Main component is the versatile ricinoleic acid *Identified by its weak characteristic scent Cultivation: It grows in tropical summer rain areas. Depending which type, soil conditions and climate, 450 kg - 2000 kg oil can be obtained per hectare.

is obtained from the almost ripe fruits of the olive tree (Olea europaea). The fruit is a drupe and has an oil-rich fruit flesh. (15 % - 35 % oil content). Characteristic properties: *high content of oleic acid (C18:1)