Jasmine sambac absolute (CAS 1034798-23-6) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Jasmine sambac absolute
CAS 1034798-23-6
What Is Jasmine sambac absolute?
Jasmine sambac absolute is an intensely floral extract from the tropical jasmine sambac flower. You’ll encounter it in high-end perfumes, luxury soaps, and some traditional medicines. This ingredient matters because it captures the intoxicating, warm floral character that’s been prized for centuries in perfumery and aromatherapy.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Jasmine sambac absolute Smell Like?
Jasmine sambac absolute opens with a narcotic burst of indolic florals – imagine ripe peaches dripping nectar under tropical moonlight. The heart reveals a honeyed sweetness with nuances of green stems and tea leaves. As it dries down, animalic musks emerge, creating a sensual trail that lingers for hours. More intimate than common jasmine grandiflorum, sambac has a warmer, slightly fermented quality reminiscent of night-blooming flowers in humid climates.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
The jasmine sambac absolute provides the narcotic floral heart that makes Samsara so hypnotic, blending seamlessly with sandalwood to create its signature spiritual-sensual duality.
Used here in overdose to create the fragrance’s otherworldly floralcy, with sambac’s indolic character amplifying the amberwood base.
Showcases sambac’s darker facets, pairing it with licorice and precious woods to emphasize its mysterious, nocturnal character.
A soliflore that captures sambac’s full evolution from fresh green buds to honeyed floral decadence.
The sambac absolute contributes to Poison’s controversial animalic floralcy, blending with tuberose for maximum seduction.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Jasmine sambac absolute is a complex natural mixture containing hundreds of compounds. Key constituents include benzyl acetate, linalool, indole, and methyl anthranilate. The absolute is obtained through solvent extraction of the flowers, typically yielding about 0.2-0.3% absolute from fresh flowers. Unlike the essential oil obtained through distillation, the absolute preserves heat-sensitive compounds that contribute to its rich, nuanced scent profile. The indole content (typically 2-5%) is responsible for the characteristic animalic facets.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Dark orange-brown viscous liquid |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water |
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzyl acetate | 140-11-4 | 150.18 | 215 | 1.7 | 0.15 mmHg |
| Linalool | 78-70-6 | 154.25 | 198 | 2.7 | 0.16 mmHg |
| Indole | 120-72-9 | 117.15 | 253 | 2.1 | 0.01 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Powerful floral heart note |
| Soap | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Use sparingly due to indole content |
| Candles | 0.3-1% | Up to 2% | Beautiful floral diffusion |
Classic Accords
Tip: Balance the indolic notes with clean musks or citrus top notes to prevent excessive animalic character.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More fresh and citrusy, less indolic. Use when a cleaner jasmine character is desired.
Synthetic jasmine base with similar floralcy but no indole, suitable for allergen-free formulations.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Restricted to 0.7% in leave-on products due to benzyl alcohol content (IFRA 49th Amendment). No restrictions for rinse-off products.
EU Allergen Declaration
Contains benzyl alcohol (CAS 100-51-6) and linalool (CAS 78-70-6) which must be declared when present above 0.001% in leave-on products.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated jasmine sambac absolute as safe for use in fragrance at current levels with some restrictions on benzyl alcohol content.
Sustainability
Jasmine sambac is hand-harvested at night when flowers are most fragrant, requiring significant labor. Sustainable sourcing initiatives focus on fair wages for pickers and organic cultivation methods. Synthetic alternatives exist but cannot fully replicate the complexity of natural absolute. Production is limited by flower yield – approximately 8,000 flowers yield just 1ml of absolute.
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References
- Sell, C. (2019). Chemistry and the Sense of Smell. Wiley. DOI:10.1002/9781119167201
- Bickers et al. (2003). Fragrance contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis. PMID 12755725
- Joulain, D. (2017). The World of Jasmine Absolute. Perfumer & Flavorist. Perfumer & Flavorist
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
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