Spinach absolute (CAS 68917-48-6) — Green Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Spinach absolute
CAS 68917-48-6
What Is Spinach absolute?
Spinach absolute is a rare botanical extract used in niche perfumery, capturing the green, earthy essence of fresh spinach leaves. It’s found in avant-garde fragrances pushing vegetal boundaries. This ingredient matters as a bridge between gourmand and green accords, offering perfumers an unconventional tool for creating lifelike garden compositions with surprising depth.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Spinach absolute Smell Like?
Spinach absolute bursts with chlorophyll-rich intensity – imagine crushing fresh spinach between your fingers with earthy undertones of damp soil. The opening is sharply green with a slightly bitter edge, evolving into a heart of vegetal sweetness reminiscent of pea shoots. The dry-down reveals a subtle marine-like minerality, leaving an impression of dew-covered garden greens at dawn.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used for its hyper-realistic green accord, contributing to the fragrance’s photorealistic garden effect alongside mango and grapefruit.
Provides raw vegetal depth to this futuristic green composition, contrasting with galbanum and blackcurrant bud.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Spinach absolute contains a complex mixture of leaf alcohols including hexenols and hexenals that create its characteristic green odor. Key components include 3-hexenal (leaf aldehyde) and 2-hexenal, which are formed through enzymatic breakdown of leaf lipids. The absolute is obtained through solvent extraction of fresh spinach leaves, concentrating both volatile and non-volatile plant constituents.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Dark green viscous liquid |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Used sparingly for green accents |
| Functional Fragrance | Trace | Up to 0.1% | Rarely used outside niche applications |
Classic Accords
Tip: Balance with sweet florals like hyacinth to prevent excessive bitterness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers similar green intensity with more floralcy, better suited for mainstream applications.
Pure green leaf alcohol that can reconstruct the top notes of spinach absolute more predictably.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions currently apply to spinach absolute.
RIFM Assessment
Not currently assessed by RIFM due to limited commercial use.
Sustainability
Spinach absolute production requires large quantities of fresh leaves, making it resource-intensive. Some perfumers prefer reconstructed green accords using synthetic molecules for consistency and reduced agricultural impact. Organic sourcing is recommended when available to minimize pesticide residues.
Explore Spinach absolute
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420090869
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
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