What Is Matsutake Acetate?
Matsutake Acetate is an aroma chemical first described in the fragrance literature during the early 1960s, when researchers were investigating mint extracts for new perfumery notes. Today it is cataloged under the CAS number 2442-10-6 and is widely recognized for its versatility in both fine fragrance and functional products.
The material is produced by acetylating 3-octen-1-ol, a molecule that can be sourced from mint oils or built entirely through synthetic steps. Most commercial supply is synthetic, which guarantees consistent quality and keeps pressure off botanical resources.
At room temperature Matsutake Acetate appears as a clear to very slightly yellow liquid with a medium viscosity. It blends smoothly with alcohol and most common perfume solvents, making it easy to weigh and work with in the laboratory.
Perfumers reach for this ingredient whenever they want to shape green, garden-fresh nuances or add lift to lavender styles. It shows up in many modern functional bases such as detergents and fabric softeners because it holds its own under varying pH conditions. Despite that broad utility it is not an especially high-profile raw material, so supply is steady and the price point sits in the mid range rather than in the luxury bracket.
What Does Matsutake Acetate Smell Like?
Matsutake Acetate is generally placed in the herbal family. Off a blotter it first gives a brisk garden-fresh impression that recalls crushed mint leaves combined with airy green stems. Within seconds a gentle fruity undertone peeks through, similar to the fruity snap of a just-cut apple. As the minutes pass a delicate floral echo, reminiscent of lavender tips and violet leaf, rounds out the profile without turning sweet.
In perfumery we describe scents by how they unfold over time: top notes greet the nose, middle notes build the character, base notes linger longest. Matsutake Acetate sits firmly in the top-to-upper-middle range. It jumps out quickly to provide an inviting opening yet still hangs around long enough to bridge into the heart of a composition.
Projection is moderate to strong, giving a diffusive aura that helps lift other ingredients. On a standard paper blotter the molecule remains perceptible for more than 24 hours before fading, so while it is not a traditional base note it offers respectable staying power for a fresh tonal material.
How & Where To Use Matsutake Acetate
Put simply this is a fun material to handle. It pours easily, dissolves quickly in alcohol and does not fight other top notes so you can concentrate on building your idea rather than taming the chemistry.
Perfumers reach for Matsutake Acetate when they need a quick green lift with a minty sparkle that is softer than straight menthol yet brighter than cis-3-hexenol. It excels in herbal lavender styles, pairs effortlessly with violet leaf to modernise vintage floral accords and livens up apple or pear top notes in fruity blends. When a composition risks smelling flat or dull a touch of this ingredient gives an instant fresh cut-stem effect that pulls the whole opening forward.
Typical use sits between traces and 0.5 % of a formula though some functional products can push it to 1 %. At very low dosages it whispers soft green fruitiness. From 0.2 % upward the mint facet becomes more obvious and at 1 % it can dominate with a crisp garden freshness. Because it leans herbal rather than icy it rarely feels cold or medicinal even at the higher end.
Application wise it is a star in fine fragrance, colognes and aftershaves. It holds up well in fabric softener and liquid detergent where pH stays under 10 giving long-lasting freshly washed linen vibes. Performance drops in high-alkali soaps and it is almost wiped out by bleach so avoid those settings or compensate with encapsulation.
No special prep work is needed beyond the usual. Make a 10 % solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for accurate weighing, label the dilution clearly and you are ready to create.
Safety Information
Working with Matsutake Acetate, like any aroma chemical, calls for sensible precautions to protect yourself and those around you.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 % or lower solution in odorless solvent before smelling
- Avoid bottle sniffs: never inhale vapors straight from the neat container as the concentration is far above what your nose or lungs should handle
- Ventilation: blend and evaluate in a well-ventilated workspace or under a fume hood to keep airborne levels low
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to prevent accidental skin or eye contact
- Health considerations: some people may experience irritation or sensitisation, brief exposure to low levels is generally safe but prolonged or high exposure can be harmful, speak with a medical professional before use if pregnant or breastfeeding
For complete peace of mind consult the latest MSDS from your supplier and review it often for updates then follow current IFRA guidelines for allowable dosage in your chosen product category.
Storage And Disposal
When stored with care Matsutake Acetate remains in good condition for roughly three years. Kept refrigerated it can stay fresh for up to five years before the odor starts to thin out or turn sour.
The ingredient prefers a cool dark environment away from heat sources and direct sunlight. A cabinet or drawer that holds a steady temperature below 20 °C works well if a fridge is unavailable.
Use bottles fitted with polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. These caps create a tight seal that blocks air and moisture. Dropper bottles rarely close fully so avoid them. Whenever possible keep containers topped up or transfer the liquid to a smaller bottle once the fill drops to half. Less headspace means less oxygen and slower oxidation.
Label every bottle clearly with the material name concentration production date and any hazard symbols required by your jurisdiction. Good labeling prevents mix-ups and keeps everyone in the lab safe.
For disposal check local regulations first. Small test amounts can usually be diluted heavily with water then flushed down the drain while the tap is running. Larger volumes should go to a licensed chemical waste center. Matsutake Acetate is moderately biodegradable yet releasing big quantities at once can still burden a treatment plant so responsible disposal is important. Absorb spills with paper or vermiculite seal the waste in a bag and send it with your hazardous refuse.
Summary
Matsutake Acetate is a minty herbal top note built by acetylating 3-octen-1-ol. On the nose it delivers crisp green stems soft fruity hints and a touch of lavender-violet bloom.
Perfumers love it because a dash lifts lavender fougères brightens fruity florals and gives detergent bases a freshly laundered vibe. At under one percent it plays nicely with most accords and its price sits in the comfortable mid range.
Stability is good in fine fragrance and neutral to mildly alkaline products though very high pH or bleach will eat it alive. Cost is reasonable yet the scent profile is specific so test compatibility before committing to a large batch.
Overall it is a fun versatile ingredient that rewards experimentation across colognes functional cleaners and anything that needs a natural garden kick.