Natural Perilla Essential Oil Substitution Initiatives

Perilla frutescens (also known as Shiso in Japanese) is an annual plant with many varieties native to central and southern China. It is characterized by its fresh aroma. Its leaves and flower have long been used on Japanese dining tables as pickles and garnishing in other dishes. Perilla essential oil obtained by steam distillation of dried ruffled green perilla has been widely used as a natural material for flavoring in Japan, but its production has been declining in recent years as the farmers are aging and planting area is decreased. While striving to preserve the resources of these precious plant, we are developing new flavors utilizing our technology. Those flavors are less dependence on natural resources by understanding the aroma characteristics of perilla essential oil. 
Table 1 below shows the list of the main flavor components of green perilla essential oil from Kitami, Hokkaido, Japan and from China. Perillaldehyde, limonene, and cis-shisool are the main components of the slight mint like and refreshing aroma characteristics unique to Shiso.

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 Table 1 Main flavor components of Green Perilla Essential Oil (area% GC-FID)