What Is Fruit Sec?
Fruit Sec is a specialty perfume base created by DSM-Firmenich that captures the character of dried fruit in a convenient liquid form. Although DSM-Firmenich pioneered the material, several aroma houses offer comparable blends under different trade names, so it is always worth checking specifications if you are comparing sources.
Being a synthetic blend, Fruit Sec is produced in the lab by combining selected aroma molecules that each contribute part of the overall profile. The exact recipe is proprietary, yet the process follows standard fragrance compounding practices where ingredients are mixed, filtered and quality-checked before the base is shipped out.
At room temperature the material appears as a clear to slightly amber liquid with a viscosity similar to light syrup. It dissolves readily in alcohol and fragrance oils which makes it easy to incorporate into finished formulas.
Usage is fairly common because the note fills a gap between fresh fruit accents and gourmand sweetness. You will find it in fine fragrances, hair-care products, soaps, home care and even candle blends, proof of its versatility.
When stored in a cool dark place and kept tightly closed, the base stays fresh for roughly two to three years before its aroma starts to thin out. Cost wise it sits in the mid range, affordable for mass-market products yet refined enough for prestige perfumes.
Fruit Sec’s Scent Description
This ingredient sits squarely in the fruity olfactory family. Off a blotter it opens with the juicy sweetness of ripe plum then quickly folds into impressions of prunes, raisins and a touch of dried apricot. There is a mellow wine-like warmth underneath, rounded by a faint woody nuance that stops the accord from becoming sticky.
Perfumers talk about top, middle and base notes to describe how a scent unfolds over time. Fruit Sec mostly lives in the heart and gently drifts into the drydown, lending continuity between the early sparkle and the deeper finish of a composition.
Projection is moderate so it carries well without overwhelming the wearer. Longevity is solid for a fruity note, remaining noticeable on a blotter for six to eight hours and often traceable the next day when used at higher levels.
How & Where To Use Fruit Sec
Perfumers pick up Fruit Sec when they want a realistic dried-fruit accent that sits between juicy and gourmand. It shines in plum accords, raisin facets or to warm up berry mixes that feel too sharp. A few drops can also soften woody or spicy bases, adding an edible glow that makes the whole formula feel friendlier.
In a fine fragrance it usually lands in the heart at 0.5-2 percent of the total concentrate. At trace levels it simply smooths harsher edges and gives a hint of wine-like sweetness. Push it toward 3-5 percent and the prune note becomes obvious, sometimes shading toward fruitcake. Beyond that the material can smother fresher notes, turning the blend heavy and flat, so most perfumers stay below 5 percent unless a bold dried-fruit theme is the goal.
Hair-care and body-wash formulas often keep it around 0.2-0.8 percent. These products rinse off, so a small amount is enough to survive dilution with water and surfactants. Candles and other wax bases may need closer to 3 percent to break through the burn but watch for discoloration if the wax is very light.
Fruit Sec is less helpful in high-citrus colognes or very green compositions where its warm sweetness feels out of place. It can also tilt detergent perfumes too gourmand if paired with vanilla. In those cases swap to fresher fruity molecules like ethyl maltol or peach lactone.
The liquid arrives ready to pour yet most labs pre-dilute it to 10 percent in ethanol or dipropylene glycol. This makes weighing easier and lowers the risk of accidental over-dose. Shake the drum before use because heavier components can settle during storage.
Remember that concentration changes perception. Low levels give a translucent plum haze while high levels read almost syrupy. Always build in stages and smell on both blotter and skin to catch any unwanted thickness before the formula is locked.
Safely Information
Always dilute Fruit Sec before smelling it. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle to keep vapors out of your nose. Work in a well-ventilated space so any airborne particles disperse quickly. Gloves and safety glasses protect skin and eyes from accidental splashes.
Some people can experience irritation or allergic reactions when handling aroma chemicals. If you notice redness or itching wash with soap and water and seek medical advice. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should talk with a health professional before working with fragrance materials.
Brief exposure to low concentrations is generally considered safe yet long or repeated contact with higher levels can be harmful. Keep containers sealed when not in use and wipe spills immediately to prevent buildup on benches.
Dispose of unwanted material in line with local chemical regulations. Never pour large volumes down the drain where it can stress water treatment systems. Small rinses of a well-diluted solution are usually acceptable but always check local rules first.
Most important, consult the latest safety data sheet supplied with your batch and review it often as updates occur. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum usage in each product type to ensure your formula remains both legal and skin-friendly.
How To Store & Dispose of Fruit Sec
Fruit Sec stays in good shape when the bottle lives in a cool dark cupboard away from radiators or sunny windows. If you have room in a laboratory fridge the lower temperature can slow oxidation even further, yet it is not essential for day-to-day stability.
Choose glass or HDPE bottles fitted with polycone caps. The cone forms a tight seal that keeps oxygen and moisture from creeping in. Dropper tops breathe too much air, so reserve those for short term evaluation only.
Try to keep containers topped up. Decant working stock into smaller bottles as the level drops so less headspace remains. Every extra pocket of air accelerates color shift and aroma fade, especially in warm weather.
Label every container with the material name, batch number, date opened and any hazard symbols shown on the safety data sheet. Clear labeling avoids mix-ups and helps anyone sharing the lab know what precautions to take.
When a batch finally loses its punch dispose of it responsibly. Do not tip full strength liquid into the drain. Small rinse volumes of a well-diluted solution are usually acceptable but always follow local regulations. Larger quantities should go to a licensed chemical waste handler. Fruit Sec is a synthetic base so it is not readily biodegradable in the short term, another reason to avoid dumping it in sinks or soil.
Summary
Fruit Sec is a liquid specialty base from DSM-Firmenich that recreates the taste of dried fruit in scent form. It smells mainly of plum with hints of prune, raisin and a gentle wine warmth, sitting squarely in the fruity family.
Perfumers reach for it to round berry blends, boost plum accords or add an inviting gourmand glow to woods and spice. Its mid-range cost, reliable shelf life and friendly character make it a regular on both fine fragrance and functional product benches.
Keep in mind the note is fairly specific. Too much turns syrupy and can dull fresher facets, so most formulas cap it below five percent. Store it cool, cap it tight and use fresh stock for best results.
Commercial houses can buy directly from DSM-Firmenich or through authorised distributors. Hobbyists and small brands will find it in sample or kilo sizes from third-party resellers and generic makers who list it under names like Dried Fruit Base or Plum Accord.