Coumarin (inci)

Coumarin is a widespread substance in nature that is easily soluble in ethanol, ether and essential oils, but not very soluble in water (coumarin from the Spanish "cumarú = tonka bean tree", a tree native to Guyana (Coumaruona odorata), which causes the aromatic scent of numerous plants (e.g. woodruff, sweet clover, dates, etc.). Coumarin (INCI) is used in perfumes, creams and lotions.

The seeds of the tonka bean are particularly rich in coumarin (the seeds have a coumarin content of around 2 to 3%), as is cinnamon.

Coumarin was first isolated in 1813 by the German chemist A. Vogel, who was able to extract the substance from the seeds of the tonka tree. For further information on coumarin, see below. Coumarin.