What Is Fragolane?
Fragolane is a modern aroma chemical first registered for perfumery use in 1995. It belongs to the ester group of molecules and is created through a straightforward esterification step that marries a tailored alcohol with a specialty acid under controlled heat and pressure. Because the process relies on laboratory synthesis rather than crop harvesting, every batch of Fragolane offers the same high purity level, typically better than 98 percent when both isomers are counted.
At room temperature the material pours as a clear colorless liquid that looks much like water but carries a slightly higher viscosity. Its stability profile makes it a reliable choice for everything from fine fragrance to detergent bases, so most fragrance houses keep it on hand. Production costs for the raw materials and the uncomplicated reaction pathway mean that Fragolane is generally considered a mid-priced workhorse, accessible to large industrial blenders and boutique perfumers alike.
Since Fragolane does not occur in nature all supply is synthetic, which eliminates issues of crop failure, seasonal variation or land use. The molecule is partly biodegradable and contains no added stabilizers, simplifying formula paperwork for many finished goods. Thanks to its versatility you will come across it in shampoos, soaps, softeners, candles and of course perfumes, though casual shoppers rarely know it by name.
What Does Fragolane Smell Like?
Fragolane sits comfortably in the fruity family. On a blotter the first impression is a bright strawberry accord that feels freshly picked rather than jammy. Within seconds a gentle hint of anise peeks through, adding a subtle licorice twist that keeps the fruit from feeling flat. As the minutes pass softer nuances of ripe plum and crunchy apple join in, rounding out the profile with a touch of juiciness and a shaded sweetness.
Perfumers often describe a fragrance in terms of top, middle and base notes. Top notes sparkle in the first few minutes, middle notes build the heartbeat of the scent and base notes linger longest on skin or fabric. Fragolane behaves mostly as a middle note. It appears quickly enough to support the opening but stays present well into the dry-down, lending continuity to fruit driven themes and even floral bouquets.
Projection is moderate so the ingredient diffuses pleasantly without overwhelming nearby noses. Longevity falls in the four to six hour window on a standard blotter, a respectable performance for a fruity material. Used at higher levels it pushes both volume and wear time, yet still retains a clean finish that makes it easy to layer with woods, musks or transparent florals.
How & Where To Use Fragolane
Fragolane is a fun material to work with. It behaves, blends and cleans up easily so it rarely throws surprises at the workbench.
Perfumers pull it out whenever they need a crisp strawberry flash that stays juicy rather than turning syrupy. It slips naturally into red fruit accords, berry cocktails, apple themes or even modern pear bases. When a white floral feels too serious a touch of Fragolane can lighten the mood, giving gardenia or jasmine a playful spark.
Usage levels vary with the task at hand. In fine fragrance it often sits between 0.5 percent and 5 percent of the concentrate, though formulas chasing a bold fruit headline may climb to 10 percent or more. Functional products such as shampoos or candles can tolerate up to 20 percent in the oil phase before the note starts to dominate.
At trace amounts the material reads as a general fresh sweetness that polishes the blend without calling attention to itself. Increase the dose and the strawberry comes forward, soon followed by the anise twist that can lend chic complexity. Push it even higher and Fragolane becomes the star, washing the whole perfume in bright red fruit with a faint herbal edge.
The molecule mixes well with most solvents and fixes easily with commonly used musks or woods, so no special pre-dilution is required. Standard 10 % ethanol or dipropylene glycol solutions are perfect for bench trials.
Safety Information
Working with Fragolane is straightforward yet certain precautions and considerations apply to keep the creative process safe.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 % solution or less before smelling
- Avoid direct inhalation: never sniff straight from the bottle and keep the blotter a short distance from your nose
- Ventilation: blend in a well-ventilated space to prevent build-up of vapors
- Personal protective gear: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to protect skin and eyes from splashes
- Health considerations: some aroma chemicals can cause irritation or allergic reactions; brief exposure to low levels is generally safe but prolonged or high-level contact may be harmful; consult a healthcare professional before use if pregnant or breastfeeding
Consult the latest supplier MSDS for Fragolane and revisit it regularly as information can change. Follow current IFRA guidelines for safe use levels to keep every formula compliant and consumer friendly.
Storage And Disposal
When sealed tight and kept under proper conditions Fragolane remains at peak quality for about two years, sometimes longer. Color or odor drift is the first sign it is getting tired so trust your nose as well as the calendar.
Refrigeration is helpful but not essential. A shelf in a cool dark cupboard away from sunlight, radiators and hot equipment keeps the molecule happy. Sudden temperature swings shorten shelf life so aim for steady room temperature if you skip the fridge.
Select glass bottles with polycone caps for both the neat material and any dilutions. This liner makes an airtight seal that dropper tops cannot match. Top the bottles up whenever possible; less headspace means less oxygen and slower oxidation.
Label every container clearly with the ingredient name, solution strength if diluted and key safety notes. A quick date stamp lets you spot old stock at a glance.
Small leftover amounts can usually go in the regular trash after soaking into an absorbent material like cat litter then sealing in a bag. Larger volumes should be handed to a local chemical disposal service or a community hazardous waste program. Fragolane is partly biodegradable but never pour it down the drain where it could upset water treatment systems.
Summary
Fragolane is a lab made fruity ester that smells like fresh strawberry with hints of anise plum and apple. It lends juicy lift to both floral and fruit accords, works from fine fragrance to laundry care and behaves well at the bench so most perfumers call it fun to use.
The ingredient is popular because it offers bright colour, decent staying power and a mid range price without the crop worries tied to natural extracts. Keep an eye on how much oxygen it meets, store it cool and dark and remember it shines best when you want a clean realistic red fruit effect rather than a cooked jam vibe.