Production, Yield and Derivatives of Volatile Oils from Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus Virginiana L.)

Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) is one of the most widely distributed indigenous conifers in southern states including Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. Eastern redcedar is also an important source of the volatile oils. This specie adversely influences the environment resulting in degrading grassland, displacement of native plant population and increasing wildlife hazard. Range-grown eastern redcedar has a poor quality. However, some mesic forested sites in Oklahoma produce trees suitable for lumber manufacture. Cedarwood oil has a significant commercial value in a broad range of applications from cold-remedy salves to room sprays and insecticides. Its extensive utilization in a broad range of products is attributable to its unique properties, such as its odor, repellency or toxicity to many pests, antibacterial, antifungal and antitermitic activities. Value-added oil based products from eastern redcedar can have a major economic incentive. It is important to evaluate recovery methods, processing and analysis of the composition as well as its yield. Therefore the objective of the article is to summarize findings of some of the past and current studies related above aspects of volatile oils from eastern redcedar.