What Is Lime Tahiti Citronova 5X Decol?
Lime Tahiti Citronova 5X Decol is a specialized lime oil created through a proprietary distillation technique developed by dsm-firmenich. The method, introduced to the market in 2018, draws off several fractions of cold-pressed Mexican lime oil then blends them back together in precise amounts. This extra step trims down the natural limonene content, giving perfumers a concentrate that is easier to handle and less prone to oxidation.
The raw material starts with fresh lime peels gathered during juice production. These peels are pressed at low temperature to capture the aromatic oil. The Citronova distillation follows, separating the lighter and heavier portions under reduced pressure. Company specialists recombine the best cuts, resulting in a five-times concentrated, decolorized liquid with a clear to very pale yellow hue. No synthetic molecules are added, so the ingredient is classified as 100 percent natural origin.
At room temperature the material is a free-flowing liquid, not viscous or sticky, which makes it simple to dose in both small lab trials and large factory batches. It is widely used in fine fragrance and everyday toiletries because it keeps the bright character of fresh lime while offering better stability than regular cold-pressed oil. Pricing sits in the mid range relative to other citrus specialties, helping brands include it without blowing the budget.
What Does Lime Tahiti Citronova 5X Decol Smell Like?
This ingredient sits squarely in the citrus family. Off a blotter it opens with the zing of freshly cut lime, but there is more depth than in a standard lime oil. A juicy pulp note appears first, quickly joined by hints of grated zest and a faint sweetness that recalls lime sorbet. As the minutes pass a subtle coumarinic touch comes forward, lending a gentle hay-like softness that rounds out any sharp edges.
In perfumery we talk about top, middle and base notes. Top notes are the first impressions that evaporate fast, middles set the heart of the perfume and bases linger longest. Lime Tahiti Citronova 5X Decol is firmly a top note, yet thanks to its reduced limonene it hangs around longer than typical citrus materials. Expect a bright lift for 30-45 minutes on a blotter before it transitions and melds into surrounding notes.
Projection is lively during the first half hour, giving an instant splash of freshness that can fill personal space without overwhelming. Longevity is moderate for a citrus: traces remain detectable for two to three hours, especially when anchored with woods, musks or resins in the formula.
How & Where To Use Lime Tahiti Citronova 5X Decol
This is a genuinely pleasant material to handle. It pours easily, stays clear and behaves well during weighing so you are not chasing sticky drips around the bench. The lower limonene level means it resists the quick browning that plagues a lot of citrus oils, saving you from constant rechecking of color or peroxide values.
Perfumers reach for it whenever they want the zing of lime without the bitterness or harsh terpene bite that can creep in with standard cold pressed oil. It shines in sparkling top notes for summer eaux de toilette, colognes, mojito or margarita accords, tropical florals and modern fougères. A few drops also lift creamy gourmands and tea accords, adding a mouthwatering juiciness that stops them from feeling heavy.
Typical inclusion sits anywhere from a whisper at 0.05 % for subtle freshness in a woody composition up to about 3 % in a citrus dominant fragrance. At very low traces it reads as an airy zest that simply brightens the formula. Around 1 % the full pulp and peel character shows, while quantities beyond 3 % can start to dominate, pushing the blend toward a candy lime effect with that gentle coumarinic undertone.
The material is equally at home in functional products. It brings a clean, natural scent to shampoos, body washes, soaps, softeners and even scented candles where its improved oxidative stability helps the fragrance last on the shelf. It is less suitable for high temperature processing such as hot pour sticks because some of the more delicate volatiles can flash off.
Prep work is minimal. The oil arrives ready to use but adding 0.05 % vitamin E or another antioxidant will extend shelf life in open drums. A quick shake before each weighing ensures the lighter fractions stay homogenous, especially in a cool lab.
Safely Information
Like all fragrance materials Lime Tahiti Citronova 5X Decol calls for sensible precautions.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 % solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol before smelling
- Never smell straight from the bottle: waft the scent from a blotter to avoid a direct hit of vapors
- Work in a well ventilated space: good airflow prevents buildup of airborne citrus volatiles
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: protects skin and eyes from possible irritation or accidental splashes
- Health considerations: citrus oils may cause sensitization use care if you have sensitive skin consult a doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding brief low level exposure is generally safe but prolonged or concentrated contact can be harmful
The key to safe handling is staying informed. Always consult the latest safety data sheet supplied with your batch and review it regularly for updates. Follow current IFRA guidelines on maximum use levels to ensure your formulas remain both enjoyable and safe for end users.
Storage And Disposal
When kept under the right conditions Lime Tahiti Citronova 5X Decol remains in prime shape for about two years from the fill date. After that its sparkling top note can start to flatten though the material is still usable if it smells fresh.
Refrigeration between 4 °C and 8 °C slows oxidation and is ideal for long term stashing. If fridge space is scarce a cool dark cupboard far from hot pipes or windows works almost as well. Direct light and warmth push peroxide values up so keep bottles shaded.
Choose containers with a tight polycone cap for both the neat oil and any dilutions. Dropper tops or pipette lids let in too much air and you will see the color yellow faster. Try to decant into the smallest bottle that fits the volume so the headspace stays minimal. Topping up with inert gas is another simple trick if you handle bulk drums.
Label every vessel with the full name batch number and date opened plus hazard symbols if required. A clear tag today avoids mystery bottles tomorrow.
Disposal is straightforward. The oil is readily biodegradable yet it can harm aquatic life in high concentration so never pour large amounts down the sink. Absorb small residues onto paper or vermiculite then bin with general waste. For quantities over a few hundred grams hand everything to a licensed chemical recycler who will process it through energy recovery or controlled incineration.
Rinse empty glass or metal containers with detergent let them dry and recycle as usual. Plastic droppers or liners that carry strong odor are best sent to chemical waste.
Summary
Lime Tahiti Citronova 5X Decol is a five-times concentrated natural lime oil that keeps all the zingy peel and juicy pulp of fresh fruit while dialing back harsh limonene. On skin or in the air it delivers an instant burst of citrus backed by a soft coumarin whisper that hangs around longer than standard lime.
Its tidy handling stable color and mid-range cost make it a go-to in colognes summer florals mojito accords shower gels candles and cleaning blends. Because it is still a top note you will want to pair it with fixatives or woods if you need all-day lift but otherwise it is a fun plug-and-play ingredient with very few headaches.
The main points to watch are basic citrus care: keep it cool keep air out add an antioxidant and you will enjoy bright cheerful lime in every batch.