Cassia bark extract (CAS 8007-80-5) — Spicy Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Cassia bark extract
CAS 8007-80-5
What Is Cassia bark extract?
Cassia bark extract comes from the aromatic bark of Cinnamomum cassia trees, primarily grown in China. You’ll encounter its warm, cinnamon-like scent in holiday candles, spiced perfumes, and traditional Chinese medicine. This ingredient matters because it bridges cultural fragrance traditions with modern perfumery, offering a richer, more complex cinnamon character than common cinnamon bark oil.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Cassia bark extract Smell Like?
Cassia bark extract bursts with an intense, spicy-sweet cinnamon aroma that’s deeper and more leathery than true cinnamon. The opening is fiery with peppery aldehydic warmth, evolving into a heart of honeyed benzoin and clove-like nuances. As it dries down, reveals a woody-balsamic base with faint medicinal undertones reminiscent of antique apothecary cabinets. Unlike cinnamon’s bright sweetness, cassia maintains a persistent dry warmth that lingers on skin like the memory of mulled wine.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Cassia provides the fiery oriental spice that defines Opium’s provocative character, blending with myrrh and vanilla to create its legendary warmth.
Used as the cinnamon accord’s backbone, cassia adds depth to this spicy oriental, complementing the clove and orange blossom heart.
Cassia amplifies the explosive spice opening, contributing to the fragrance’s signature cinnamon-chili pepper dynamism.
Cassia’s dry warmth bridges the citrus top notes to the woody base, adding sophisticated spice without sweetness.
Cassia’s leathery facets enhance the sandalwood base, creating a distinctive spicy-woody tension in this controversial masculine.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Cassia bark extract contains 75-90% cinnamaldehyde, along with smaller amounts of coumarin, cinnamyl alcohol, and eugenol. The cinnamaldehyde content gives cassia its characteristic cinnamon aroma, while coumarin contributes to its sweet, hay-like undertones. Unlike true cinnamon (C. verum), cassia contains higher levels of methoxy-cinnamaldehyde, which accounts for its more pungent, less sweet character. Extraction typically involves steam distillation of the dried bark, yielding an essential oil with deep amber color and viscous consistency.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Dark brown viscous liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 250-252 °C (main constituent) |
| Density | 1.045-1.063 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.600-1.614 |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinnamaldehyde | 104-55-2 | 132.16 | 248 | 1.9 | 0.01 mmHg |
| Coumarin | 91-64-5 | 146.14 | 301 | 1.4 | 0.0002 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Used sparingly due to intensity |
| Home Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 8% | Provides warm spice in candles |
| Soap/Detergent | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Limited by skin sensitivity |
| Flavorings | 0.01-0.1% | Up to 0.2% | Used in spice blends and baked goods |
Classic Accords
Tip: Balance cassia’s intensity with sweet vanillic notes to prevent overpowering blends.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Milder, sweeter cinnamon profile from Cinnamomum verum. Use when a softer spice character is desired.
Pure synthetic cinnamaldehyde offers consistent spicy character without coumarin content for regulatory compliance.
Softer, balsamic cinnamon note with honeyed floral aspects for delicate formulations.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Restricted under IFRA 49 (cinnamaldehyde content). Maximum 0.05% in leave-on products, 0.1% in rinse-off.
EU Allergen Declaration
Contains cinnamaldehyde (CAS 104-55-2) – must be declared above 0.001% in leave-on, 0.01% in rinse-off products.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current IFRA limits. Coumarin content monitored for food contact applications.
Sustainability
Cassia is sustainably wild-harvested in China, with bark regeneration cycles of 8-10 years. Synthetic cinnamaldehyde offers an alternative that reduces pressure on wild trees. The extraction process requires significant energy input for steam distillation. Fair trade initiatives support smallholder farmers in Guangxi province.
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References
- Wang et al. (2013). Chemical Composition of Cinnamomum cassia Essential Oil. Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry. PMID 23551233
- IFRA Standards Library (2022). Amendment 49 – Cinnamaldehyde. IFRA
- PubChem Cinnamaldehyde CID 637511
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 8007-80-5Odor & Flavor
| The volatile oil obtained by steam distillation from the dried inner bark of the shoots of coppiced, cultivated bushes of C. zeylanicus Nees. It has an odor of cinnamon and a spicy burning taste.📖 Fenaroli |
Regulatory Status
| IOFI Classification | Natural📖 Fenaroli |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
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