What Is Lemon Citronova 16X Fab Decol?
Lemon Citronova 16X Fab Decol is a concentrated citrus ingredient built for fragrance and flavor work. It comes from DSM-Firmenich, a global producer of aroma chemicals, though other suppliers may offer similar de-limonened lemon oils under generic names.
The material starts life as standard cold-pressed lemon essential oil. DSM-Firmenich then runs the oil through a proprietary multi-stage distillation that pares away much of the raw limonene. The remaining fractions are blended back together to give a cleaner, more nuanced profile with less volatility and lower potential for oxidation.
At room temperature the ingredient is a clear, mobile liquid that can carry a faint yellow tint. It pours easily and blends well with both alcohol and most oil phases, making it user friendly in creative labs and factory settings alike.
Perfumers reach for Lemon Citronova 16X Fab Decol when they want the brightness of fresh lemon without the harsh terpene bite that often comes with regular cold-pressed oil. Because the ingredient is already refined it is found in finished products ranging from fine fragrance to household cleaners. It is considered a workhorse rather than a rarity, so availability is high and price sits in the affordable range for most projects.
When stored in a cool, dark place with the cap tightly closed it remains fit for purpose for roughly two to three years. After that window the top-note sparkle may dull but the material does not become hazardous.
Lemon Citronova 16X Fab Decol’s Scent Description
This ingredient belongs to the citrus family, the same broad group that hosts orange, bergamot and grapefruit notes.
On a blotter the first impression is vivid lemon zest, as if a peel were twisted so the oils mist the air. Under that burst sits the juicy tang of lemon flesh plus a soft sweetness reminiscent of candied rind. Because excess limonene has been removed the scent is smoother than typical expressed oil, avoiding the pithy bitterness that can creep into standard lemon materials. A faint leafy green nuance appears after a minute, adding a natural dimension without turning herbal.
Lemon Citronova 16X Fab Decol is a classic top note. It flares quickly, riding high above other ingredients for the first ten to fifteen minutes of a composition. As the most volatile molecules lift away a gentle citrus veil can linger into the first part of the heart, but it rarely lasts into the dry-down.
Projection is bright and noticeable at the outset, then tapers as the lighter fractions evaporate. On a blotter you can expect clear lemon character for about an hour with traces persisting a little longer if dosage is high. In a finished perfume its longevity depends on how it is supported by fixatives but even then its main job is to announce the fragrance then gracefully bow out.
How & Where To Use Lemon Citronova 16X Fab Decol
Perfumers usually call on Lemon Citronova 16X Fab Decol when they need a bright lemon lift without the sharp terpene edge of raw cold-pressed oil. It excels as the sparkling cap of classic citrus openings, modern colognes and gourmand accords where clean lemon freshness is wanted but pithy bitterness would distract.
The ingredient blends smoothly with other citruses like bergamot or grapefruit, and it also stitches neatly into floral hearts to add a sunny halo around rose, jasmine or lavender. In fougères or woods it can lighten dense bases and help the first impression feel less heavy. Because the limonene content is reduced it pairs well with delicate aldehydes or ionones that might otherwise be drowned out by rough zest notes.
Typical dosage in fine fragrance sits anywhere from a trace up to about 5 percent of the concentrate. At the lower end it gives a quiet hint of lemon that many people read as pure freshness rather than an obvious citrus note. Around two to three percent it becomes clearly recognizable lemon peel. Pushed to the top of the range it can shout brightly for the first minutes yet still remain smoother than standard expressed oil.
Over-use carries two main risks. First is balance: too much can flatten the rest of the pyramid so the heart and base never quite get a chance to speak. Second is stability: large amounts may thin out the blend and make top notes flash off too fast, shortening wear time. A small trial at the highest planned level is the easiest way to see if either issue appears.
Lemon Citronova 16X Fab Decol suits alcohol-based perfumes, water-based mists, soaps, shampoos, candles and most cleaning products. It is less useful in anhydrous balms or very waxy sticks where its high volatility means little odor payoff after setting. If working in flavors be sure to follow food regulations in your region because usage limits differ from perfumery.
No special pre-treatment is needed. Shake the drum or bottle before each weighing to keep fractions evenly mixed, then weigh swiftly with a pipette or syringe to limit air exposure. If the material has been open for a long time pass it through a short stainless filter to catch any oxidized film that may have formed on the surface.
Safety Information
Always dilute aroma chemicals before smelling them and never sniff straight from the bottle. Work in a well-ventilated area so vapor does not build up. Gloves and safety glasses protect skin and eyes from accidental splashes.
Even refined citrus ingredients can irritate sensitive skin or trigger fragrance allergies. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a doctor before handling any concentrated fragrance material. Brief contact with low levels is generally safe yet high doses or long exposure can cause headaches respiratory discomfort or dermatitis.
If product spills on skin wash promptly with mild soap and plenty of water. In case of eye contact rinse for several minutes and seek medical help if irritation persists. Keep containers tightly closed when not in use to slow oxidation and reduce fire risk, and store away from heat sparks and direct sunlight.
Disposal must follow local regulations for flammable liquid waste. Small lab quantities can often go with solvent waste streams, while larger volumes may require specialist collection.
Always refer to the most recent Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor, and check it regularly as updates do happen. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum allowable levels in each product category to ensure formulas remain safe for consumers.
How To Store & Dispose of Lemon Citronova 16X Fab Decol
Store the material in clean glass or metal bottles kept in a cool dark place away from heaters and direct sun. A refrigerator set around 4 °C can add a few extra months of sparkle, though normal room storage works if temperature swings are low. Always reseal containers with tight polycone caps; they press against the neck and block air far better than dropper tops.
Try to keep bottles as full as practical. The smaller the air gap, the slower oxygen can dull the brightness. If you divide a drum into smaller packs top each one right to the shoulder, note the fill date, then move the oldest stock to the front shelf so nothing sits forgotten.
Before a bottle goes on the rack label it clearly with the full trade name, the date it was opened and basic hazard icons so anyone grabbing it knows what is inside at a glance. For dilutions note the carrier solvent and concentration as well.
When a batch is no longer fit for use treat it as a flammable citrus solvent. Small lab volumes can ride with regular solvent waste destined for controlled incineration. Larger lots should go through a licensed chemical recycler or disposal firm. The base oil is readily biodegradable but the high load of volatile organics means it should never be poured down a sink or thrown in household trash. Rags or pipette tips that hold residue belong in sealed metal cans until they can be removed with other solvent soaked waste.
Summary
Lemon Citronova 16X Fab Decol is a refined lemon oil from DSM-Firmenich that keeps the zest sparkle while trimming harsh limonene. It smells like fresh peel with a smooth juicy core and a light leafy echo, making it a top note that brightens everything from colognes to cleaning sprays.
The ingredient is popular because it offers cleaner odor, better stability and often lower allergen load than raw cold-pressed lemon, yet it stays affordable. Perfumers value it for classic citrus openings, floral lift and gentle gourmand twists, though they still watch dosage so the fragrance does not flash off too fast. It blends well with other citruses, florals and modern woods but needs care in waxy formats where high volatility limits payoff.
If you need commercial quantities go direct to DSM-Firmenich or large distributors that hold fresh stock. Hobbyists and small brands can find repack selections from specialty retailers or choose generics sold under names like de-limonened lemon oil. As always check the COA for freshness and keep an eye on top note stability during long projects.