Absolutes are produced using solvent extraction rather than steam distillation. This approach is often chosen when delicate aromatics degrade during distillation, or when a plant’s oil yield is extremely low. Because a solvent is part of the process, trace amounts can remain in the finished material and may appear on analytical reports. Absolutes also tend to have a thicker texture than many essential oils because they contain heavier, less-volatile constituents pulled during extraction.

One of the most common adulteration risks for absolutes is dilution with non-volatile carrier oils (for example, inexpensive cooking oils). These additions can be difficult to detect in short GC-MS runs, which is why method length, sample preparation, and lab experience matter.

Jasmine absolute may also be adulterated with individual aroma chemicals to mimic the natural profile or to “boost” specific notes. Compounds reported in adulteration contexts include benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, linalool, and benzyl benzoate. Substitution with botanically similar materials can also occur, including other jasmine species. Oils rich in dimethyl anthranilate are sometimes used to imitate jasmine-like sweetness, and synthetic fragrance ingredients (such as certain cinnamic derivatives or synthetic jasmone materials) may be used to round out the scent.

The best consumer-facing protection is transparency and testing. Reputable suppliers will provide a certificate of analysis (COA) and use labs that run appropriate methods for absolutes—long enough to see the full profile, with checks designed to catch both volatile “spikes” and non-volatile dilution.