Musk is a glandular secretion from a musk deer normally a male one which is commonly used as a perfume fixative. It is a strong smelling substance. The organic compound Muskone is the main contributor to the distinct odour of musk. Besides the male musk deer, musk is also obtained from the muskrat of Europe and India, the musk shrew, the musk beetle, the Central American beetle, the Musk duck among others. It is also extracted from several plants and flowers like the musk flower, musk seeds and musk wood which is found in the West Indies.
The extraction process is rather long and complicated. First the male deer is killed; next the gland is removed and dried either by immersing it in boiling hot oil or by keeping it on a hot stone.
The extraction process is rather long and complicated. First the male deer is killed; next the gland is removed and dried either by immersing it in boiling hot oil or by keeping it on a hot stone.
