Question

Peru Balsam is viscous dark brown and transparent liquid, extracted from _______

• A. Callitris quadrivalvis
• B. Myroxylon pereirae
• C. Pinus succinifera
• D. Pistacia lentiscus

Hint:

Despite its common name "Balsam of Peru," the species Myroxylon pereirae is primarily grown and harvested in El Salvador, not Peru.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Balsams are pathological, resinous plant exudates containing high concentrations of benzoic and cinnamic acids, used as fixatives in perfumery and pharmaceuticals.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Peru Balsam (or Balsam of Peru) is a thick, dark brown, aromatic, transparent liquid.
2. It is extracted from the wounded trunk bark of the tree Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae (commonly known as Myroxylon pereirae), native to Central America.
3. It has a sweet, warm, vanilla-like scent and is widely used as a fragrance fixative, antiseptic, and wound-healing agent.
4. Other choices yield different exudates: Callitris quadrivalvis yields Sandarac, Pinus succinifera yields fossilized Amber, and Pistacia lentiscus yields Mastic resin.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Peru Balsam is extracted from the tree Myroxylon pereirae.