摘要：Volatile oils are also known as essential or etheric oils are obtained from different parts of plants (flowers, seeds, leaves, etc.). These natural products are used several areas like in perfume manufacturing, aroma theraphy, phyto theraphy, and food industry. In addition to these, they have important affects on bacteria, moulds and yeasts which cause food-borne diseases. Hydrocarbons and their nitrogenous derivatives, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and diterpenes are found in their compositions. Also, phenyl propanoids, fatty acids and esters can be found in their compositions. Today, in manufacturing of volatile oils many techniques like distillation, pressing and other extraction methods are widely used. In this review, it was aimed to discuss the literature related to general characteristics and manufacturing techniques of volatile oils.
