Fatty acids, butter (CAS 85536-25-0) — Sweet Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Balsamic

Fatty acids, butter

CAS 85536-25-0

Origin
synthetic
Note
Heart
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Fatty acids, butter?

Fatty acids from butter are synthetic fragrance ingredients that recreate the creamy, slightly tangy dairy notes found in butter. They’re used in gourmand perfumes, body care products, and some savory flavorings. These molecules help perfumers capture the comforting warmth of baked goods without using actual dairy, making them valuable for creating realistic food-inspired scents.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
No known major health concerns
May cause mild irritation at high concentrations
CAS
85536-25-0
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Fatty acids, butter Smell Like?

Buttery fatty acids offer a rich, creamy aroma with a hint of cultured dairy tang. The scent evolves from an initial burst of warm melted butter to a softer, slightly cheesy heart note, settling into a comforting milky base. Unlike fresh butter, these synthetic versions lack the fleeting grassy top notes, focusing instead on the stable, long-lasting dairy character that blends beautifully with vanilla, caramel, and nutty accords.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Synthetic butter fatty acids typically consist of short-chain fatty acids like butyric acid and its esters, which are responsible for the characteristic dairy aroma. These are produced through controlled esterification processes or microbial fermentation. The balance between free fatty acids and their esterified forms determines the sharpness versus creaminess of the final aroma profile.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid
SolubilityInsoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and oils

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Heart
Volatility
Medium (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Used as gourmand modifier
Body Care0.1-1%Up to 3%Adds creamy richness
Candles1-3%Up to 8%Enhances foodie accords

Classic Accords

Tip: Use with vanillin to smooth out any sharp dairy edges.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Butyric Acid CAS 107-92-6

More pungent cheesy note, used when stronger dairy character is desired.

2
Diacetyl CAS 431-03-8

Provides butter popcorn note without fatty depth.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

No specific IFRA restrictions apply to butter fatty acid compositions.

RIFM Assessment

Generally recognized as safe at typical usage levels in fragrance applications.

Sustainability

Synthetic butter fatty acids provide a vegan alternative to animal-derived dairy notes. Their production avoids the environmental impacts of dairy farming while offering consistent quality and stability. Most are derived from plant-based feedstocks through green chemistry processes.

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References

    Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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