Alpha-Santalol (aS)

α-Santalol is an organic compound that is classified as a sesquiterpene. It comprises about 55% of the oil of sandalwood, another less abundant component being β-santalol. As of 2002, about 60 tons of sandalwood oil are produced annually by steam distillation of the heartwood of Santalum album. It is a valued component for perfumes. The oil content varies greatly within the different sandalwood species. This level is typically highest in the album, paniculatum and yasi. The scent profile also changes considerably between the different species' oils. alpha-Santalol was isolated from sandalwood oil by distillation under vacuum and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Chemopreventive effects of alpha-santalol were determined during initiation and promotion phase in female CD-1 and SENCAR mice.