What Is Mefranal?
Mefranal is a synthetic aroma chemical prized for its fresh citrus character. Givaudan introduced the material and holds the registered trade name, yet most fragrance suppliers now offer a generic version that is virtually identical in olfactory performance.
The molecule is built in a lab rather than distilled from fruit or flowers. Chemists start with small terpene fragments, stitch them together, then refine the liquid through distillation until it reaches a high purity suitable for perfumery. The finished product is a clear mobile liquid with no visible color or sediment, making it easy to weigh and blend.
Perfumers reach for Mefranal whenever they need a crisp lemon effect that also carries a soft floral twist. It appears in fine fragrance, personal care and even household products thanks to its strong performance in both water based and alkaline formulas. Although not every brand includes it, the material is common enough that most labs keep it on the shelf.
Properly sealed at room temperature the ingredient keeps its full strength for roughly two years. After that it slowly loses some brightness but remains usable if it still smells fresh. Pricing sits in the mid range for citrus notes, making it affordable for large scale detergents yet valued enough to feature in prestige perfume bases.
Mefranal’s Scent Description
Mefranal is usually filed under the citrus family. On a blotter it opens with an immediate burst of juicy lemon zest, almost as if a peel has just been twisted. Within seconds a green geranium leaf nuance comes forward adding a delicate rosy touch that keeps the note from feeling like straight lemonade. There is also a subtle aldehydic sparkle that lifts the whole accord and gives it a clean, sunlit quality.
In the classic top, middle and base framework Mefranal behaves mainly as a top note, yet it is less fleeting than natural citrus oils. After the first fifteen minutes the vivid tartness settles and a soft floral core remains, bridging smoothly into the heart of a composition. It rarely makes it all the way into the drydown on skin, though on a paper blotter a faint whisper is often detectable days later.
Projection is bright and airy, cutting through heavy blends without feeling harsh. Longevity on skin is moderate, around two to three hours before it fades into the background, while on fabric or paper it can linger for several days. This balance of radiance and staying power is why perfumers rely on Mefranal to give an immediate fresh impression and a tidy transition into the mid notes.
How & Where To Use Mefranal
Perfumers pull out Mefranal when a formula needs a clean lemon flash that hangs around longer than natural citrus oil. It shines in top-heavy accords such as sparkling colognes, fresh florals and modern fougères where a hint of rosy greenery lifts the opening. Its aldehydic twist also helps give polish to soap bases and detergent scents that risk smelling flat once diluted in water.
Used at very low levels, often below 0.2%, Mefranal behaves like a zesty modifier that brightens other notes without calling attention to itself. Between 0.2% and 1% the lemon geranium facet becomes obvious and can anchor a full citrus accord alongside bergamot, litsea cubeba or Citronellol. At the top end of the recommended range, around 1-2%, it can stand as a featured top note though care is needed to prevent a slightly waxy aldehydic edge from taking over.
In soap noodles it offers strong bloom when the bar is wetted yet washes away cleanly, a quality prized in personal wash briefs. It also holds up well in air care systems thanks to solid burning effectiveness which lets candle and reed diffusers project a bright clean first impression. The downside is weaker dry substantivity, so don’t rely on it to carry the scent many hours after application on fabric or skin.
Overdosing can create an intrusive oily lemon note that crowds out delicate florals and can even smell somewhat harsh in ambient air. If the rest of the composition already contains other aldehydes or citral-rich oils, dial Mefranal back to avoid a stinging effect.
Before weighing, pre-dilute to 10% in ethanol or dipropylene glycol to make dosing easier and reduce the risk of spillage. Shake the stock each time as aldehydes can stick to glass walls. Label dilutions clearly with date and strength so you can track freshness because oxidised material loses sparkle.
Safely Using Mefranal
Dilution is key. Always work from a 10% or weaker solution rather than the neat liquid. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle; instead blot a strip and fan it gently under your nose. Perform all handling in a well-ventilated space or under a fume hood so vapour does not build up around you. Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep accidental splashes off skin and eyes.
Mefranal is generally considered safe at the low levels found in finished fragrance products but concentrated contact can trigger skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Anyone pregnant or breastfeeding should seek medical advice before regular exposure to aroma chemicals. Short whiffs of diluted material pose little risk yet breathing high concentrations over long periods could lead to headaches or respiratory discomfort.
Clean minor spills with absorbent paper then wash the area with soapy water. Collect larger spills in a sealed container for proper chemical disposal rather than pouring down the drain. Empty bottles should be triple-rinsed and sent to recycling only if local rules permit.
For the most accurate and up-to-date guidance always consult the safety data sheet supplied by your vendor and review it from time to time as regulations can change. Follow current IFRA guidelines to confirm that the level you plan to use stays within accepted limits for the intended product type.
How To Store & Dispose of Mefranal
Keep Mefranal in tightly sealed amber glass bottles placed in a cool dark cupboard away from radiators or windows. A refrigerator set around 4 °C will slow oxidation even further, though room temperature storage is acceptable if the space stays below 20 °C. Whichever option you choose let the bottle warm to room temperature before opening to reduce moisture condensing inside.
Use polycone caps on both neat stock and dilutions for the best vapor seal. Avoid eye-dropper tops or cork stoppers because they let air creep in and can taint the scent. When you split material into smaller vials aim to fill them close to the shoulder so the headspace stays minimal, slowing the aldehyde’s tendency to turn flat or waxy over time.
Label every container clearly with “Mefranal,” its strength, the date it was filled and basic hazard notes such as “irritant, handle with gloves.” This habit prevents mix-ups and lets you spot ageing batches at a glance.
For disposal treat unwanted concentrate, rinses and soaked paper towels as chemical waste. Collect them in a screw-top jar then hand over to a licensed disposal service or household hazardous waste drop-off. Do not pour the raw material into sinks because aldehydes can stress aquatic life before they break down. Small amounts that remain in an empty bottle after triple rinsing can usually go in glass recycling if local rules allow.
Mefranal does biodegrade under aerobic conditions yet the process is slow, so responsible handling is still important. Keeping stock fresh, using it up within two years and sharing excess with other makers are simple ways to cut waste.
Summary
Mefranal is a Givaudan-made aroma chemical that delivers a bright lemon note touched with geranium leaf and a soft aldehydic fizz. It is mainly a top-note booster that lasts longer than natural citrus oils so it sees heavy use in colognes, soaps, air care and modern florals.
The ingredient offers good bloom, excellent stability across a wide pH range and solid value for money though its scent is specific. Overdosing or poor storage can give a waxy edge so careful weighing and airtight bottles are key.
Commercial buyers can order directly from Givaudan or its authorised distributors in kilogram drums. Hobbyists and small brands will find repackaged lots and generic equivalents from specialty fragrance suppliers, many of whom sell 5 g to 500 g sizes for testing and pilot runs.