Benzoic Acid Isolation from Frankincense

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether benzoic acid can be isolated from Frankincense by using safonification method followed by hydrolysis. The Frankincense sample used is Tapanuli Frankincense, also known as Frankincense Toba or more commonly called Haminjon. Furthermore, the results obtained are identified through chemical tests and physical tests, and to ensure that the results obtained are benzoic acid spectra tests are carried out using infrared spectroscopy (IR). The results obtained are 5.29% white crystals which based on the analysis results have a melting point of 121.2-1230C and infrared absorption data shows the data at v (cm-1): 3100-2700 (strong band) is a bound OH group; 1720-1690 (strong band) is a C = O group; 1650-1520 (weak band) is C = C aromatic; 1275 (medium band) is C-O carboxylic acid and 882.6-715 (medium band) is aromatic C-H out of the plane, so it is concluded that the white crystal obtained is benzoic acid as much as 5.29%.