Effect of dispersing agents and stirring mode on the adsorption of major components of lavender, tea tree and grapefruit oils to a rubber glove in an aromatic bath

The effects of ethanol, honey and milk used as dispersing agents on the adsorption of the major oil components to a rubber glove were examined in aromatic bath containing lavender, tea tree and grapefruit oils. Compared with ethanol and honey, milk caused a marked decrease in adsorption of highly hydrophobic hydrocarbons and esters such as γ-terpinene, limonene and linalyl acetate. An air bubbling bath also caused a marked decrease in adsorption of hydrocarbons and ester as compared with a circulating bath. A decrease was closely associated with short half-lives of these components in water bath. Since adsorption of the oil components to a rubber glove was shown to be parallel to that to mouse skin, the results suggested that the use of milk and an air bubbling bath should be avoided in aromatic bathing.