What Is Macrolide Supra?
Macrolide Supra is a macrocyclic lactone first introduced to the fragrance world in 1998 after researchers isolated a minute natural analog in Himalayan angelica roots and went on to recreate it through modern organic synthesis. Today the material is produced on an industrial scale by cyclizing renewable plant-derived fatty acids in a multi-step process that yields a high purity solid without the need for stabilizers.
At room temperature it appears as fine, pale white flakes that melt quickly when warmed. This neat, tidy form makes it easy for perfumers to weigh and blend compared with many liquid musks that can thicken or crystallize unpredictably.
The ingredient can be traced in nature in tiny amounts, yet the volumes needed for commercial perfumery come from sustainable synthetic routes. This guarantees batch-to-batch consistency and keeps the environmental footprint low.
Macrolide Supra sees regular use across fine fragrance, personal care and home care because it tolerates the high temperatures of candle production, the alkaline conditions of soap making and the surfactant systems in shampoos and detergents. Despite its versatility it is still regarded as a specialty musk, priced in the middle of the pack rather than at the budget end.
What Does Macrolide Supra Smell Like?
Perfumers slot Macrolide Supra into the musky family. On a blotter it opens with a clean, soft musk that soon reveals a mellow balsamic warmth. As the minutes pass a subtle red fruit nuance peeks through, giving the impression of ripe berries folded into creamy fabric rather than a loud fruity splash.
In classic perfumery terms scents develop in three stages called top, middle and base notes. Top notes are the light molecules you notice first, middle notes form the heart and base notes provide depth and staying power. Macrolide Supra firmly belongs in the base. It surfaces slowly, anchors other materials and lingers long after brighter facets have faded.
Projection is moderate so it creates a gentle aura rather than a force field, yet its longevity is impressive. On skin it can be detected well into the next day and on fabric it holds on through several washes, giving compositions an elegant lasting signature.
How & Where To Use Macrolide Supra
First of all Macrolide Supra is a pleasure to handle. It comes as clean white flakes that pour like coarse salt so you are not wrestling with sticky syrup or tough crystals.
Perfumers reach for it when they want a refined musk effect that carries a soft red fruit glow. In a classic musk accord it can replace heavier nitro musks to give a more modern airy finish. It also shines in berry themes where its balsamic side cushions the juicy notes and keeps them from smelling thin.
The material is most often dosed between 0.5% and 5% of the full formula. At trace levels it simply rounds rough edges and boosts diffusion. Around 2% the red fruit nuance becomes noticeable. Push it to the high end of the scale, say 10% or more, and the scent turns richer and more velvety though it can muffle crisp citrus tops if you are not careful.
Macrolide Supra blends especially well with MCM ketones. Together they create an elegant skin musk that lasts for days on fabric, a trick valued in laundry softeners and fine fragrance base notes. It also withstands the heat of candles and the alkalinity of bar soap, though in highly alkaline bars you may need to pair it with a fixative to protect the fruit facet.
If the flakes arrive clumped from cold storage simply warm the closed container in a water bath at 40 °C for a few minutes then stir. After that it weighs and dissolves with no fuss.
Safety Information
Working with any aroma chemical calls for a few common sense precautions to keep both you and the perfume safe.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 % solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol before smelling to avoid nose fatigue and accidental overdosing
- Avoid direct sniffing: never smell straight from the bottle waft the scent from a blotter instead
- Ensure good ventilation: mix and test in a room with fresh air or under a fume hood to prevent buildup of vapors
- Use personal protection: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses the flakes can irritate skin or eyes if handled carelessly
- Mind health considerations: some people may experience skin irritation or allergic response prolonged exposure to high levels can be harmful and pregnant or breastfeeding users should seek medical advice before working with any fragrance raw material
For complete peace of mind always consult the most recent MSDS from your supplier and follow any limits set by IFRA for your product category revisiting both documents regularly as updates occur.
Storage And Disposal
When kept in ideal conditions Macrolide Supra stays fresh for about four years, sometimes longer if the seal is never broken. A fridge set near 5 °C can push the shelf life closer to five years, yet a cool dark cupboard away from sunlight and radiators is usually fine for day-to-day work.
Store the flakes or any dilution in airtight amber glass. Polycone caps give the best seal, while dropper tops let air creep in and should be avoided. Top up bottles whenever possible because the smaller the air gap the slower oxidation will be.
Write the ingredient name, concentration, date opened and any hazard icons on every container. Clear labels save time and prevent mix-ups, especially when several white musks sit side by side on the bench.
Dispose of rinse water and tiny test leftovers down the sink with plenty of running water and detergent. For larger volumes collect the liquid, tag it as non-hazardous perfume waste then hand it to a licensed disposal service. Macrolide Supra is readily biodegradable but local rules still apply.
Wash empty bottles with hot soapy water, let them dry, remove the labels and recycle the glass. Caps that touched neat material should go in regular trash unless your municipal program accepts mixed plastics.
Summary
Macrolide Supra is a modern macrocyclic musk that shows a soft red fruit shimmer over a clean balsamic base. It lends lift, elegance and staying power to fine fragrance, skin care and home care while being easy to weigh and blend.
You can slip it into a formula at 0.5 % for gentle polish or let it star at 10 % for a plush fabric-like finish. It loves company with MCM ketones, supports berry notes and survives the rigours of soap, candles and detergents.
Costs sit in the mid range, stability is solid as long as you keep oxygen and heat at bay and the scent profile is refined rather than loud so plan supporting notes if you need heavy projection.
All in all it is a fun, versatile ingredient that rewards a light hand and a bit of curiosity, making it a staple in many contemporary perfume labs.