A comprehensive review on essential oils and extracts from Iris rhizomes

Iris spp. rhizomes (commonly known as orris rhizomes) are a precious raw material used in perfumery, as sources of high-value violet odorant substances, mainly consisting of irones. The review comprehensively and critically presents the techniques for the optimized production of irones from orris rhizomes and their formation from their triterpene precursors (the iridals). It also thoroughly discusses the qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze both iridals and irones, the chemical structures and stereochemistry of irones and their olfactory properties. It also describes a detailed composition of the orris extracts intended for applications in fragrance and flavor fields. This unprecedented survey also includes patent applications, granted or not.