What Is Bell Pepper Green Firgood® Alc?
Bell Pepper Green Firgood® Alc is a specialty aroma material created by DSM-Firmenich that captures the vivid character of freshly cut green bell pepper. While this registered name belongs to its developer, comparable vegetable-green notes from other suppliers may appear under different trade names, so perfumers sometimes treat it as a general bell pepper accord.
The ingredient is produced with the proprietary Firgood process, a solvent-free technique that uses controlled electromagnetic energy to draw out natural volatiles already locked inside the pepper’s own moisture. Because the entire fruit, skin and flesh are processed, the extracted liquid carries an authentic garden-fresh profile without needing additional solvents or large amounts of energy.
At room temperature the material is a clear to very pale golden liquid that pours easily and dissolves well in alcohol or standard fragrance carriers. It is typically shipped in small metal or dark glass containers to protect it from light and air.
Usage is still niche compared with long-established citruses or florals, yet interest is climbing as brands seek more realistic vegetable notes for fine fragrance, home care and personal wash products. When stored tightly closed, away from heat and direct sunlight, the extract keeps its full character for roughly two years before the green facets begin to fade.
Cost sits in the mid range: more expensive than mass-market synthetic greens like hexenal but not as pricey as rare absolutes. Perfumers value it for its natural origin and striking realism, which often justify the added expense in modern compositions.
Bell Pepper Green Firgood® Alc’s Scent Description
This ingredient belongs to the broad green family, the group that evokes leaves, grasses and fresh plant sap. Off a scent blotter it opens with an unmistakable snap of raw bell pepper: cool, crunchy and mouth-watering, almost as if the pepper has just been sliced. Within seconds a juicy vegetal wateriness emerges, followed by a gentle earthy nuance reminiscent of the inner pith and seeds. A faint sweetness lingers in the background, preventing the profile from feeling overly herbal or sharp.
Perfumers divide a perfume’s life into top, middle and base notes. Top notes are the first to reach your nose, middle notes give body and theme, while base notes anchor the composition for hours. Bell Pepper Green Firgood® Alc lives squarely in the top zone. It makes a vivid first impression that energizes a formula, then yields space to florals, woods or musks in the heart and drydown.
Projection is bright yet controlled: the note radiates clearly for the first 15-20 minutes, delivering a realistic garden freshness without overwhelming nearby materials. Longevity is short to medium, with noticeable traces persisting on a blotter for one to two hours depending on dosage, after which it fades gracefully leaving only a whisper of soft vegetal warmth.
How & Where To Use Bell Pepper Green Firgood® Alc
Perfumers reach for Bell Pepper Green Firgood® Alc when they need a crisp vegetable flash that feels true to nature rather than abstractly green. In a citrus opening it sharpens the sparkle of lemon or grapefruit, giving the impression of freshly cut produce at a market stall. In floral bouquets it adds realism to rose, jasmine or lily by echoing the crushed stem effect that live petals naturally release. Modern chypres and fougères benefit from its juicy bite which prevents mossy bases from feeling dated.
The material is usually placed in the top note at 0.1 to 2 percent of the formula though traces can already lift a composition. Braver perfumers push up to 5 percent for concept scents built around a kitchen garden theme or for home care where diffusion is king. At very low dosages the bell pepper nuance reads as general dewiness. Increase the level and the profile turns louder, taking on a crunchier vegetal tone along with a faint earthy shadow. Above 3 percent the note dominates and can clash with delicate florals or gourmand accords that rely on softness.
Over-use risks include an unbalanced metallic edge and an unintended “salad” character that may feel out of place in fine fragrance. In soap or detergent too much can react with alkaline bases and dull the perceived freshness. Modulate it with watery musks, cyclamen aldehydes or soft citrus terpenes to keep the effect round.
The extract blends readily with ethanol and most fragrance solvents so no special solubiliser is required. If you plan to weigh micro-amounts premake a 10 percent solution in dipropylene glycol or ethanol for easy pipetting. Shake the drum before decanting as some vegetal particles can settle over time. Because the note is volatile, add it late during compounding and keep tanks closed to minimise loss.
Safely Using Bell Pepper Green Firgood® Alc
Dilution is key. Always work from a solution rather than the neat material to reduce vapor shock and improve dosing accuracy. Never sniff straight from the bottle since concentrated fumes can irritate nasal passages. Use the ingredient in a well ventilated workspace or under a fume hood to avoid build-up of vapors. Protective gloves and safety glasses provide a basic barrier against accidental splashes.
Although Bell Pepper Green Firgood® Alc comes from edible produce, the extract is still a potent mix of volatiles. Some users may experience skin irritation or sensitisation after contact. People with existing allergies should handle with extra caution. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding seek medical advice before prolonged work with any aroma chemical.
Short exposure at low levels is generally viewed as safe, yet extended handling at higher concentrations can provoke headaches, respiratory discomfort or dermatitis. Keep containers tightly closed when not in use, and wipe spills immediately to prevent lingering odor and contact risks.
Always consult the most recent Material Safety Data Sheet from your supplier, as guidance may evolve with new toxicological findings. Follow the International Fragrance Association guidelines for maximum use levels in each product category to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
How To Store & Dispose of Bell Pepper Green Firgood® Alc
Store the neat material in a cool dark cupboard away from radiators or direct sun. Refrigeration is optional but can stretch the shelf life beyond two years by slowing oxidation. If you chill it let the bottle warm back to room temperature before opening to avoid moisture condensing inside.
Choose glass or aluminum bottles fitted with polycone caps. These liners squeeze tight against the neck and block air far better than droppers or plain screw tops. For working solutions decant only what you need and keep the stock bottle as full as possible. Less headspace means less oxygen and a fresher smell.
Label every container with the material name CAS number date of transfer and basic hazard pictograms. A clear label saves confusion later and helps anyone in your workspace handle the liquid safely.
If a spill occurs blot it with paper towels then wash the area with mild detergent. Ventilate the room until the pepper note fades.
Small leftover amounts can usually be flushed with plenty of running water and household soap since the extract is biodegradable. Check local rules first because some regions treat perfumery waste as chemical refuse. For larger volumes seal the liquid in a drum and hand it to a licensed disposal service that handles organic solvents.
Summary
Bell Pepper Green Firgood® Alc is a solvent free natural extract that captures the crisp juicy snap of fresh green bell pepper. Used at low doses it sharpens citrus floral or chypre accords while higher levels create bold garden themed scents.
The material acts as a lively top note with moderate tenacity. It is stable under normal storage though refrigeration and airtight caps help maintain brightness. Cost sits in the mid to upper bracket yet remains within reach for fine fragrance and premium home care where its realism shines.
Interest in true to life vegetable notes is rising so this ingredient is gaining traction among perfumers looking for a novel green twist. Keep in mind its scent is specific and can turn metallic if overdone.
Commercial quantities come straight from DSM-Firmenich while smaller labs and hobbyists can buy decanted stock from specialty resellers or generics suppliers who carry similar bell pepper extracts. Whichever route you choose remember to store it cool work from dilute solutions and enjoy the fresh market feel it brings to any formula.