What Is Melonal?
Melonal is a synthetic aroma chemical prized for its fresh watery character. It was first introduced by the Swiss fragrance house Givaudan, which still sells the branded grade, yet many other manufacturers now offer comparable versions under generic names.
Production is carried out through standard organic chemistry steps that build a nine-carbon backbone ending in an aldehyde group. The process is well established, relies on commonplace solvents, and does not call for exotic raw materials, so supply is reliable in most regions.
At room temperature the material appears as a clear to very slightly yellow liquid with a thin oil-like texture. It pours easily and dissolves in alcohol or most perfume oils without fuss.
Formulators reach for Melonal whenever they need a green watery accent, so it shows up in fine fragrance, fabric care, air care, even soap bases. Because only a trace is needed to make an impact it is considered a cost-effective rather than a luxury ingredient.
When stored in a cool dark place with the cap tightly closed, the material stays fit for use for roughly two years. Past that point the scent may flatten and the colour can deepen, so most labs rotate stock regularly.
Melonal’s Scent Description
Perfumers group Melonal in the green family, a category known for fresh leafy and watery notes. Off a blotter the first impression is a vivid splash of honeydew rind mixed with crisp cucumber skin. Within seconds a cool sea-spray nuance rises, bringing an almost ozonic lift that keeps the fruit from feeling sweet.
As the scent settles a faint herbal tone reminiscent of crushed stems appears, adding realism and preventing the note from veering into candy territory. There is very little warmth or woodiness, making Melonal ideal for bright summer compositions.
In the classical pyramid of top, middle and base notes, Melonal sits firmly in the top. It bursts open within the first few minutes then starts to taper off, usually handing the baton to floral or marine middle notes that share its watery vibe.
Projection is strong at first thanks to its high volatility. On paper it can be noticed from an arm’s length yet the effect is short lived. Expect clear presence for about four hours on a blotter, after which only a ghost of the cucumber facet remains.
Because it diffuses quickly and loses strength faster than heavier materials, perfumers often layer it with longer lasting green or fruity aldehydes to keep the accord alive without overloading the formula.
How & Where To Use Melonal
Perfumers reach for Melonal when they want an instant splash of juicy freshness. It shines in marine, watery fruit and cucumber accords, lending a clear melon note that feels natural yet modern. If a composition already leans green but lacks sparkle, a trace of Melonal can light it up without changing its character.
Typical use levels sit between 0.01 % and 0.2 %, though some functional products tolerate up to about 0.5 %. In fine fragrance, most formulas stay under 0.15 % because Melonal projects hard at first sniff. At very low concentration it reads as breezy dew on leaves, while higher doses push a sweet honeydew effect that can turn metallic or cloying if you go too far.
It pairs well with Calone, Hedione and cis-3-Hexenol to build a full oceanic accord, or with methyl dihydrojasmonate, pear notes and musks for a fresh fruit cocktail. Against citrus it boosts the juicy angle and helps bridge top notes into watery florals. In heavy oriental bases, however, Melonal can feel out of place and may break the smoothness of the blend.
Over-use is the biggest risk. Above about 0.3 % in perfume alcohol, the material can overtake other notes and leave a harsh, almost plastic edge. Start with a 10 % solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol, then weigh drops into your trial at the very end of compounding so you can judge its impact quickly.
No special stabilisers are needed, yet Melonal is somewhat prone to oxidation. Keep the working bottle tightly capped, use nitrogen flush if you have the setup, and label any dilutions with the date so you can monitor freshness. A cool drawer away from light is usually enough to hold its quality for testing batches.
Safely Using Melonal
Good lab practice keeps you safe while handling Melonal. Always dilute the raw material before smelling it so the vapour stays at a comfortable level. Never sniff straight from the bottle because the initial hit is powerful and can irritate your nose. Work at a fume hood or in a well-ventilated room to avoid breathing a concentrated cloud.
Wear nitrile gloves and protective glasses to stop accidental splashes reaching skin or eyes. Melonal is readily biodegradable but still rated harmful to aquatic life, so keeping spills off your hands also helps prevent traced contamination down the drain.
Some people may experience redness or itching if the undiluted liquid contacts skin. If you know you have perfume sensitivities, handle with extra care. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should talk with a medical professional before spending long periods around aroma materials, even ones used at low levels like Melonal.
Short whiffs from a dilution are usually not an issue, though repeated high exposure over many hours can lead to headaches or mild respiratory discomfort. Take breaks, rotate tasks and store measuring glassware promptly to limit lingering vapour.
Before each new project read the latest safety data sheet from your supplier and keep a copy on hand. IFRA publishes recommended maximum use levels for finished products, so check the current amendment to be sure your formula stays compliant. Rules and limits can change as new research appears, making regular reviews part of responsible perfumery.
How To Store & Dispose of Melonal
Melonal stays happiest when it is kept cool, dry and away from light. A simple cupboard that does not heat up is usually enough, yet a fridge set between 4 °C and 8 °C can stretch the shelf life even further. Whichever spot you choose keep the bottle upright and out of direct sun to slow oxidation.
Air is the main enemy of this material because oxygen dulls its bright melon note. Store it in bottles that are as full as practical, then top up with nitrogen if you have access to a gas line. Always fit the bottle with a tight polycone cap. These caps create a better seal than droppers or plain screw tops so less air slips inside while the bottle sits on the shelf.
Dilutions deserve the same care. Skip dropper bottles unless you plan to use the mix within a few weeks. Instead pour your working solution into small glass or aluminium vials capped with polycone inserts. Label every container with the material name, the concentration, date of dilution and any hazard icons so nothing is left to guesswork later.
Keep Melonal away from open flames and strong bases because both can speed up breakdown. If you notice the liquid turning darker or the odour getting flat it is time to replace the stock.
For disposal only pour tiny test quantities down the drain if your local rules allow and if you flush with plenty of water. Larger volumes should go into a sealed waste drum for collection by a licensed chemical service. The ingredient is readily biodegradable yet it is still rated harmful to aquatic life, so responsible disposal keeps it out of streams and soil.
Wipe spills with absorbent pads, bag them and send them out with chemical waste. Rinse glassware right away to prevent lingering odor and etching. Finally record what you throw away in your lab log to track usage and stay compliant with safety audits.
Summary
Melonal is a high impact green aroma chemical from Givaudan that gives a juicy hit of honeydew melon, cucumber peel and sea breeze freshness. It lifts the top of a fragrance, works well at trace levels and blends easily with marine, citrus and light floral notes.
Perfumers like it because it is affordable, easy to dose and instantly modern, though its quick fade and proneness to oxidation mean you must support it with longer lasting partners and store it with care.
If you need it by the kilo Givaudan or its distributors can supply fresh drums. Smaller hobby volumes are often sold by specialist perfume suppliers and raw material shops under the same CAS number so you can still get the genuine molecule for trials.