What Is Anethole Extra 21/22?
Anethole Extra 21/22 is a concentrated aroma chemical used by perfumers to bring a familiar anise tone to a wide range of scented goods. It is supplied by Symrise, one of the global leaders in fragrance materials, though generic versions made to a similar purity can also be found on the market.
The material is obtained by upcycling natural feedstocks rich in anethole, such as fennel or star anise, followed by careful refining to reach more than 99 percent purity. The result is a clear liquid that can look water like or show the faintest hint of straw yellow when viewed in a vial.
Because it comes from renewable raw material and is readily biodegradable, it meets modern sustainability goals while still delivering dependable performance. It is classified as an ether in chemical terms which helps explain its good stability in most finished products.
Perfumers reach for Anethole Extra 21/22 whenever they need a bright anise kick in fine fragrance, soaps, candles, detergents or personal-care formulas. Usage is fairly common and the ingredient is stocked by many compounding houses. In unopened original containers it typically stays in prime condition for roughly two to three years when stored correctly.
Cost wise the material sits at the lower end of the specialty aroma scale which makes it practical for everyday consumer items as well as prestige perfumes.
Anethole Extra 21/22’s Scent Description
This ingredient is placed in the aromatic family, often sitting alongside spicy and herbal notes. Off a blotter it opens with a clear burst of sweet licorice that quickly suggests ouzo or pastis. Within seconds a cool fennel seed facet appears, joined by light herbal greenery and a gentle hint of soft vanilla powder that rounds off any harsh edges.
Perfumers talk about fragrances in terms of top, middle and base stages. The top is what you notice first, the middle forms the heart and the base lingers at the end. Anethole Extra 21/22 spans the top and middle. It flashes brightly in the first few minutes then settles into the heart where it keeps the anise theme alive for several hours before finally fading without leaving heavy residue.
Projection is moderate to strong in the opening giving a clear scent radius around the wearer. Longevity on skin or fabric is respectable for an aromatic note, often lasting six to eight hours before it becomes a gentle whisper.
How & Where To Use Anethole Extra 21/22
Perfumers reach for Anethole Extra 21/22 when they need a crisp anise accent that feels brighter and cleaner than natural star anise oil. A few drops lift a citrus top note, add sparkle to herbal fougères or sweeten a gourmand accord without the heaviness of coumarin. In modern absinthe or pastis themed perfumes it forms the backbone of the anise chord, pairing well with fennel oil, estragon and traces of mint for extra freshness.
At low levels below 0.2 % the material whispers a subtle licorice thread that can smooth transitions between citrus and floral notes. Between 0.5 and 2 % it becomes clearly recognizable, giving a cool, slightly sweet push that reads as sophisticated rather than candy like. Going higher, up to the manufacturer’s suggested 10 % limit, places anethole at the heart of the fragrance where it dominates and can shade everything toward a nostalgic ouzo vibe.
Overuse risks a cloying, syrupy effect and can clash with deep amber or heavy musk bases, so many perfumers cap it near 3 % of the total formula unless an overt anise profile is desired. Excess also heightens the potential for discoloration in bar soap and can flatten the top of a delicate floral, so restraint pays off.
In functional products such as detergents, softeners and candles the material shows impressive stability thanks to its ether structure. It survives the high pH of cleaning formulations and the heat of wax melts without rapid degradation, making it a cost-effective way to keep scent integrity during use. It is less ideal in very fruity beverages-inspired body sprays where consumers may perceive the herbal facet as medicinal.
No special pre-dilution step is mandatory but many compounders prepare a 10 % solution in ethanol or DEP to improve dosing accuracy. Gentle warming in a water bath loosens the liquid if it thickens in a cool warehouse yet avoid overheating to prevent loss of freshness. Because it is fully miscible with most perfume solvents it blends quickly and rarely needs an extended maturation period.
Safely Information
Always dilute Anethole Extra 21/22 before evaluation. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle and work in a well ventilated space to limit inhalation of concentrated vapors. Gloves and safety glasses protect skin and eyes from accidental splashes.
While the ingredient is readily biodegradable and considered low hazard at typical perfume concentrations it can still provoke skin irritation or rare allergic responses in sensitive individuals. Anyone pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a medical professional before handling fragrance materials. Short encounters with low levels are generally safe yet prolonged or high level exposure can be harmful, so minimize contact time and wash thoroughly after use.
Keep bottles tightly closed when not in use to curb oxidation and label all dilutions clearly so colleagues understand the contents. Store away from heat sources or ignition points since the flash point sits near 100 °C.
For comprehensive risk assessment always review the latest safety data sheet supplied by your distributor and check it periodically for updates. Adhere to the current IFRA guideline limits to safeguard both creators and end users.
How To Store & Dispose of Anethole Extra 21/22
Store Anethole Extra 21/22 in a tightly closed bottle kept in a cool dark cupboard away from direct sunlight and strong heat sources. A dedicated fragrance fridge set around 5-10 °C further slows oxidation and extends shelf life though it is not essential if ambient conditions stay below 25 °C.
Choose glass bottles with polycone caps or lined metal containers for the parent stock. These seals limit air exchange better than dropper or pipette tops and help keep the scent crisp. For day-to-day compounding many users prepare a 10 % dilution in ethanol or DEP, again capping with polycone closures and filling the bottle as close to the neck as practical to cut down headspace.
Label every container clearly with the ingredient name batch number date of receipt and key hazard phrases so colleagues can identify it at a glance. Keep incompatible materials such as strong acids oxidizers or open flame equipment well separated from the storage shelf.
Thanks to its ready biodegradability small laboratory residues can often be flushed to drain with plenty of water if local regulations permit. Wipe spills with absorbent material then discard the pads in normal refuse. For larger quantities collect the liquid in a drum and hand it to a licensed chemical waste contractor who will process it through controlled biological treatment or energy recovery.
Rinse and triple vent empty bottles before recycling or disposal. Never pour surplus fragrance straight onto soil or into surface waterways as concentrated organic load can still harm aquatic life.
Summary
Anethole Extra 21/22 is Symrise’s high purity anise aroma chemical that lends a bright licorice fennel note to perfumes soaps candles and cleaning products. Sitting in the aromatic family it lights up top and heart sections with an ouzo freshness that lasts several hours without feeling heavy.
The material enjoys steady popularity because it is cost efficient renewable readily biodegradable and stable across a wide pH and temperature range. It shines at 0.2-3 % for nuanced lift yet can carry an entire absinthe or gourmand theme when pushed toward the 10 % technical limit.
Formulators should watch for possible syrupy overtones at high dose and remember that a tightly sealed cool storage space preserves its clarity best. Its modest price makes it viable for mass market products while its clean profile keeps it welcome in prestige blends.
Commercial buyers source it directly from Symrise or through major aroma distributors. Hobbyists and indie brands can pick up smaller amounts from specialty resellers or choose equivalent generic grades that match the same specification for experimentation and pilot runs.