What Is Cassiffix?
Cassiffix is an aroma chemical created by the fragrance house IFF, though you may find equivalent materials offered by other suppliers under alternate trade names. It belongs to a modern wave of upcycled ingredients sourced from surplus food by-products, giving it a sustainable edge while staying entirely vegan suitable.
At room temperature the material appears as a clear to faintly yellow liquid, similar to pale straw oil. It is usually supplied in small sealed drums or aluminum bottles to protect it from light and air. Under good storage conditions it keeps its full strength for around two to three years before a slow drop in freshness begins.
Perfumers reach for Cassiffix when they want a vivid, non-sulfur blackcurrant impression without harsh edges. Usage is common in fine fragrance, shampoos, soaps and fabric care because it keeps its scent through wash and wear. Despite its high impact it is not regarded as a luxury-priced specialty; most studios class it as a mid-cost workhorse that stretches far thanks to its strength.
The molecule is relatively new yet already a staple in berry, tropical and green accords. It shows excellent stability in alkaline or mildly acidic bases, though it struggles in strong bleach where the character fades quickly. Overall it is a versatile, user-friendly tool that adds juicy lift wherever a formula needs sparkle.
Cassiffix’s Scent Description
Cassiffix sits firmly in the fruity family. Off a blotter it opens with an immediate burst of blackcurrant juice, wrapped in crushed leaf greenness that keeps the sweetness in check. Moments later a soft red berry nuance joins in, hinting at raspberry and pomegranate. Underneath, a gentle watery facet gives the whole thing a fresh, mouth-watering quality instead of syrupy weight.
In classical perfume terms it behaves as a high-impact heart note that flashes into the top then lingers well into the drydown. You will notice it within the first few minutes of smelling the blotter yet its liveliness persists for many hours, slowly blending into woods, musks or gourmands placed beneath it.
Projection is sizeable; even trace amounts can radiate across a room during the first hour. Longevity on skin or fabric is strong, easily lasting a full day before fading to a faint berry whisper. That staying power makes it an ideal choice when a formula needs green juicy pop that does not disappear after the opening act.
How & Where To Use Cassiffix
Perfumers reach for Cassiffix when they want a clear realistic blackcurrant accent without the sulphury bite of bud absolute. It shines in top and heart accords that call for juicy freshness or a red berry lift. A single drop can wake up a floral bouquet, give a gourmand a fruity sparkle or modernise a classic chypre.
At low trace levels the material reads as leafy green with a watery snap that lightens heavy blends. Around 0.1 % to 0.5 % the fruit comes forward, showing ripe cassis mixed with raspberry and subtle mango. Push it toward 1 % to 2 % and you get a bold room-filling statement that can dominate lighter notes yet still sits smoothly beside amber, musk or vanilla.
Because Cassiffix stands up well next to woods and musks it is popular in fabric care where longevity is prized. It works just as well in fine fragrance, shampoo or soap but struggles in strong bleach systems where the fruity character degrades.
A typical working range runs from traces up to 5 % of the formula. Most perfumers start with 0.2 % then adjust upward until the accord blooms. Going past 3 % risks an overly green tannic edge that can feel harsh or medicinal, especially in delicate floral structures.
Blends that already contain Ambrettolide, Delta Damascone or Cashmeran welcome a touch of Cassiffix because it slots in cleanly and raises diffusion. It can also replace part of your berry cocktail to reduce cost while keeping a natural feel.
Before weighing you may prefer to pre-dilute to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol. This keeps dosing accurate and prevents accidental overdose. No special stabilisers are required but do avoid prolonged heating above 40 °C, as this can dull the sparkle.
Safety Using Cassiffix
Dilution is key. Always prepare a working solution before smelling or blending so you avoid overwhelming vapors. Never sniff straight from the bottle. Instead waft the dipstick lightly under your nose in a well-ventilated space.
Gloves and safety glasses should be standard practice. The liquid can cause mild skin or eye irritation in sensitive individuals so acting early prevents issues. If a spill happens wash with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice if redness persists.
Like many aroma chemicals Cassiffix can provoke allergic reactions in a small percentage of people. Anyone pregnant or breastfeeding should check with a healthcare professional before working with concentrated materials.
Short encounters with low airborne levels are generally viewed as safe yet long hours around high concentrations could lead to headaches or respiratory discomfort. Good airflow and prompt clean-up of spills keep exposure low.
Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool dry place away from direct light. When disposal is needed send unwanted stock to a licensed chemical waste handler rather than pouring it down the drain.
Finally always consult the most recent Safety Data Sheet from your supplier and keep an eye on updates. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum use levels in each product type to ensure your formula remains both compliant and consumer friendly.
How To Store & Dispose of Cassiffix
Keep Cassiffix in a tightly closed glass bottle stored in a cool dark spot away from direct light and sources of heat. Room temperature works, yet moving the bottle to a refrigerator at about 4 °C can stretch shelf life well past the standard two-year window. Allow any chilled stock to come back to ambient temperature before opening so moisture does not condense inside.
Use polycone lined caps for both neat material and dilutions, as they form a reliable vapor-tight seal. Dropper bottles look handy but tend to leak air which speeds up oxidation and dulls the fruity sparkle. Whenever possible decant into a container that the liquid will almost fill, leaving only a small headspace. Topping up part-full bottles with inert gas or clean marbles is another simple way to trim oxygen exposure.
Label every container clearly with the name Cassiffix, its CAS numbers, the dilution strength and hazard icons from the latest Safety Data Sheet. Date of opening is useful too because it reminds you when to check color or odor shifts.
Even though Cassiffix is vegan suitable and comes from renewable feedstocks it is not readily biodegradable, so disposal needs care. Small laboratory amounts can be soaked into an inert absorbent such as vermiculite and placed in a sealed bag for chemical waste collection. Larger volumes should go to a licensed disposal contractor with the ability to incinerate organic liquids at high temperature. Never pour leftovers down the sink or throw soaked wipes into regular trash.
Rinse empty bottles with a little solvent, add the rinsate to your waste drum, then let the glass dry before recycling where local rules allow. Keeping good housekeeping habits now avoids bigger problems later.
Summary
Cassiffix is an IFF-developed aroma chemical that delivers a bright natural blackcurrant note free of sulfur off-notes. Classed as fruity, it opens with juicy cassis and green leaf facets then drifts into soft red berry and a faint vanilla powder nuance. Moderate volatility gives it a strong top to heart presence while 24-hour substantivity lets the scent linger on skin and fabric.
Its power, diffusive bloom and compatibility with musks woods or gourmands make it a favorite for fine fragrance, fabric care and personal wash formulas. The material holds up well across most household bases, though bleach systems reduce its impact. Cost sits in the mid range which keeps it accessible for both mass and niche work.
Crafters should watch out for slight oxidation if bottles sit half empty or in warm light. Pre-dilution helps dosing accuracy and prevents accidental overload in delicate accords. While it is renewable and vegan, non-biodegradability means proper waste handling is essential.
Commercial quantities are available directly from IFF or their distributors. Smaller weights for hobbyists or pilot batches can be sourced from reputable third-party resellers and generic aroma chemical suppliers who list it under the same CAS numbers. With the right care and placement Cassiffix can give almost any composition an instant lift of authentic blackcurrant freshness.