Characterization of Seedlac Hydrolysis from Kesambi (Schleicera oleosa Merr) as an Intermediate Compound for Fragrance Synthesis

Abstract

Seedlac is the organic resin obtained from secretion of female insect Laccifer lacca Kerr on a selected plant, one of them is Kesambi (Schleicera oleosa Merr). Seedlac contains almost 80% polyester which can be hydrolysed to ester compounds such as aleuritic acid which is an intermediate compound for the fragrance synthesis of the perfume industry. One of the problems in the seedlac hydrolysis is the presence of natural dyes (laccaic acid) which interfered with the hydrolysis process and affect the purity of the hydrolysis products. In this research, hydrolysis was carried out by first removing the natural dyes of shellac (decolorized process). The hydrolysis results were characterized using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry to determine the type of ester and its composition. The decolorized process of seedlac before hydrolysis in this experiment could improve the percentage of aleuritic acid up to 56%. Therefore, seedlac hydrolysis by decolorized process before hydrolysis can be considered for the production of esters from seedlac, especially