What Is Fragolane?
Fragolane is an aroma chemical that gives formulators a quick shortcut to fresh ripe fruit nuances. It was first brought to market by the German fragrance house Symrise, although you may run into generic versions sold by other suppliers under different trade names. No matter who makes it, the core molecule is identical.
Chemically speaking Fragolane is an ester, the same broad family that gives apples and strawberries much of their natural scent. In industrial production it is created through an esterification process that joins an acid with an alcohol under heat and catalytic conditions, then purified until well over 98 percent of the final liquid is the desired isomer mix.
At room temperature the material is a water-clear fluid with a thin texture that pours easily. There is no added stabiliser yet the molecule is robust enough for everyday fragrance work. When stored in a well-sealed amber bottle away from direct light it keeps its punch for roughly two years before starting to lose strength.
Fragolane is used quite often in modern fruity accords because it is versatile, easy to blend and generally priced in the low to medium range compared with other specialty fruit notes. You will spot it in fine perfumes, shower gels, candles and household cleaners whenever a juicy uplifting tone is needed.
Fragolane’s Scent Description
Perfumers place Fragolane in the fruity family. On a blotter the very first whiff suggests a burst of sun warmed strawberries sprinkled with a hint of star anise. As the minutes pass you might catch crunchy green apple skins and a fleshy dark-plum facet that adds depth.
The opening sits firmly in the top-to-early-heart zone, meaning it grabs attention quickly then lingers long enough to bridge into the core of a composition. It is brighter than most base notes yet has more staying power than fleeting citrus ingredients. In a standard alcohol perfume strip tests show the fruit glow lasting three to four hours before fading into a soft sweet shadow.
Projection is moderate. It will push out clearly in the first hour giving a pleasant aura without turning into room-filling candy. After the initial bloom the material nests closer to the skin or fabric, offering gentle reminders rather than loud statements. This balanced behaviour lets it fit both transparent florals and richer gourmand styles without overpowering the blend.
How & Where To Use Fragolane
Perfumers reach for Fragolane when a formula needs a lively fruit splash that feels natural rather than candy-like. It excels in strawberry accords, rounds off generic apple notes and lends a subtle anise twist that keeps blends from smelling flat. A trace amount lifts white florals such as jasmine or orange blossom, while higher doses give body to gourmand styles built around vanilla or praline.
The material performs best in the top and early heart so it is usually combined with crisp molecules like ethyl maltol or apple acetate to create a full fruit basket effect. In berry accords it can replace part of the usual strawberry aldehyde to reduce harshness. When working on darker plum or red wine facets, pairing Fragolane with damascone adds richness without dragging the overall tone down.
Symrise lists a broad recommended range of 0.5 percent to 20 percent of the concentrate. Most fine fragrance formulas stay between 1 percent and 5 percent, shampoos sit closer to 3 percent and household cleaners may climb toward the upper end because of stronger bases and rinse-off character. At very low traces the material brings a transparent green bite, while above 10 percent it turns jammy and can overshadow delicate florals.
Overuse carries two creative risks. First the juicy sweetness can tip into a bubble-gum vibe that feels juvenile. Second its medium volatility means a heavy hand crowds the heart and masks mid-note florals. Always build in incremental steps, smelling on blotter between each addition until the desired balance is reached.
Fragolane dissolves readily in ethanol and most perfume oils so no pre-dilution is mandatory. Still many labs keep a 10 percent alcohol solution on hand for quick trials and safer smelling. The neat liquid has a flash point near 98 °C, allowing normal cold blend methods without special cooling. Just remember to label any working dilution with the creation date because fruit esters can slowly lose strength after several months in solution.
Avoid blending Fragolane with strong bases like sodium hypochlorite in bleach products; the molecule may degrade and produce off odours. It stays stable in soaps, softeners and candles provided cure temperatures remain below 90 °C. When moving from fine fragrance testing to large-scale production always run a stability check in the finished base to confirm colour and scent hold over time.
Safety Information
Handling Fragolane is straightforward yet certain precautions help keep every session safe and comfortable.
- Always dilute before smelling: Prepare a 1 percent to 10 percent solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol so the vapour is not overwhelming
- Never smell directly from the bottle: Use a blotter strip or scent bowl to evaluate the odour and avoid a sudden hit of concentrated fumes
- Work in a well-ventilated area: Good airflow prevents buildup of vapours that could cause headaches or dizziness during extended formulation sessions
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: Even mild esters can irritate skin or eyes when spilled or splashed so basic protective gear is recommended
- Health considerations: Some people experience skin irritation or allergic reactions after prolonged contact. Consult a doctor before use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Brief exposure to low concentrations is generally considered safe but extended or high-level exposure can be harmful
Always consult the latest safety data sheet supplied by your vendor and check it regularly for updates. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum use levels in each product category to ensure your creations remain both beautiful and safe.
How To Store & Dispose of Fragolane
Fragolane keeps its sparkle longest when protected from light, heat and oxygen. A dedicated fragrance fridge set around 5 °C is ideal, but a cool cupboard away from radiators or sunny windows also works as long as the temperature stays below 20 °C.
Select amber glass bottles with tight-sealing polycone caps. These caps hug the neck of the bottle and block vapour loss better than glass droppers or corks. Reserve dropper tops only for brief evaluation then swap them back for the airtight cap once you finish weighing.
Try to store the liquid in the smallest container that will hold it so there is minimal headspace. Less air equals slower oxidation and a fresher fruit note months down the line. Top up working bottles from a master stock rather than drawing repeatedly from a single large container.
Label every bottle clearly with the word “Fragolane,” the concentration, the date it was prepared and hazard symbols from the safety data sheet. This avoids mix-ups on the bench and keeps any assistants in the loop about handling precautions.
When a batch is no longer needed, never pour it down the drain. Small hobby amounts can be soaked into cat litter or coffee grounds, sealed in a zip bag and placed in household trash according to local regulations. Larger volumes should be handed to a licensed chemical disposal service. Fragolane is partly biodegradable but concentrated discharge can still upset wastewater systems so responsible disposal is important.
Summary
Fragolane is a clear liquid ester from Symrise that delivers an instant hit of strawberry, apple, plum and a soft anise twist. It shines in the top and early heart of a perfume where it freshens white florals, boosts berry accords and adds juicy dimension to household and personal care products.
Perfumers value it for its clean profile, mid-range cost and stability across alcohol bases, soaps and candles. The note is distinctive yet not so specific that it blocks creative blending, though heavy doses can shift toward bubble-gum territory. Shelf life runs about two years in a well-sealed bottle kept cool and shaded.
Commercial buyers can order directly from Symrise or authorised distributors in kilogram drums. Hobbyists and small brands will find decants and generic equivalents through specialist aroma chemical resellers in sizes from 10 ml up to a litre, making it easy to experiment without a big upfront spend.