What Is Melusat?
Melusat is the trade name for the ester chemically known as Ethyl 3,5,5-trimethyl hexanoate. First introduced to the fragrance industry in 1998, it quickly gained traction for its versatility in both fine fragrance and household products. Although it occurs in trace amounts in certain fruits, the material used by perfumers today is produced through modern organic synthesis rather than extraction from natural sources. The usual manufacturing route involves the controlled esterification of a branched-chain acid with food-grade ethanol followed by careful purification to reach high olfactory purity.
At room temperature Melusat appears as a clear, water-like liquid that pours easily and blends smoothly with other perfume oils. Because it is non-solid and has a relatively low molecular weight, it integrates into formulas without the need for heating or special solvents. Usage is widespread: large fragrance houses keep it on hand for toiletries, cleaning products and candles in addition to prestige perfumes, so most perfumers consider it a core palette item rather than a specialty molecule.
Cost wise Melusat sits in the lower-to-middle tier of aroma chemicals, meaning it is accessible for mass-market briefs yet refined enough for luxury compositions. Its stability under a range of pH levels and temperatures also helps control production costs by reducing the need for antioxidants or extra encapsulation steps.
What Does Melusat Smell Like?
Melusat is grouped into the fruity family. Smelled on a standard blotter it opens with a crisp apple accent that soon reveals a gentle pear nuance blended with the subtle fizz of white grape must. As the minutes pass a cool watery tone surfaces, giving the impression of freshly cut kiwi and lychee without veering into syrupy sweetness. A soft floral halo lingers in the background, reminiscent of spring blossoms rather than heady petals.
In perfumery we often break down a scent into top, middle and base notes. Tops are the first impressions, middles form the heart and bases give lasting depth. Melusat sits mainly in the middle zone. It does not flash off as rapidly as citrus tops yet it is lighter than woody or resinous bases. Expect its presence to peak around the 10-to-30-minute mark then taper gradually over the next few hours.
Projection is moderate: it radiates an arm’s length when used at typical levels in an alcohol splash or body spray. Longevity on a blotter averages four to six hours before the fruity character softens into a faint clean sweetness. This balance of clarity and persistence is what makes Melusat such a handy bridge between sparkling openings and darker drydowns.
How & Where To Use Melusat
Melusat is an easygoing material that behaves nicely on the blotter and in the beaker. It mixes without fuss, stays clear and does not upstage its neighbors, so most perfumers are happy to reach for it when a brief calls for clean cheerful fruit.
The molecule shines as a middle-note enhancer inside apple, pear or white grape accords. A few drops lift an ordinary fruity top and give it a watery crunch that reads authentic rather than candy-like. It also dovetails with orange oil to create a juicy heart or with aldehydes to brighten a floral bouquet.
Because of its faint blossom nuance Melusat slips naturally into green floral and lavender themes. At 0.5-1 percent of the concentrate it can make a muguet accord feel freshly rinsed, while in a fougère it lends a subtle orchard breeze that lightens the coumarin and woods.
Typical usage sits anywhere from trace amounts up to 5 percent of the oil formula. Below 0.3 percent the fruit note is more of a watery shimmer than a clear statement. Between 1 and 3 percent the apple-pear character is obvious yet still transparent. Pushing toward the 5 percent ceiling tilts the profile toward a sweet white-wine accord that may overshadow delicate florals, so moderation is key.
In functional products Melusat performs well in shampoos, shower gels, detergents and candles because it stands up to heat and alkaline conditions. Its brightness survives saponification in soap and its flashpoint is high enough for most wax blends. The only caveat is heavy musk or gourmand bases can muffle its freshness, so consider boosting it with other light fruity esters when working in those areas.
No special prep work is necessary. It dissolves readily in ethanol and standard fragrance solvents and it is stable in pre-mixes, so measuring and blending are straightforward.
Safely Information
Working with Melusat, like any aroma chemical, calls for a few sensible precautions.
- Dilution first: always dilute the raw material before evaluating its odor to prevent sensory fatigue or irritation
- No direct sniffing: avoid putting your nose over the bottle as concentrated vapors can overwhelm the mucous membranes
- Ventilation: blend and evaluate in a well ventilated space so airborne concentration stays low
- Personal protection: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep splashes off skin and eyes
- Health considerations: some individuals may experience dermatitis or sensitization, pregnant or breastfeeding users should consult a physician before handling and prolonged exposure to high levels can pose health risks even though short low-level encounters are generally safe
Always review the most recent safety data sheet from your supplier and keep an eye out for updates. Follow any applicable IFRA guidelines on maximum dosage to make sure every formula remains both delightful and safe.
Storage And Disposal
When kept under the right conditions Melusat stays fresh for roughly two to three years before any noticeable loss of brightness sets in. The clock starts once the factory seal is broken so note the date on your bottle.
Refrigeration is not mandatory yet a shelf in a clean food-style fridge can easily add an extra season of service. If that is not an option a cool dark cupboard that stays under 20 °C and away from radiators or sunny windows works perfectly well.
For day-to-day handling transfer working dilutions into bottles fitted with polycone caps. These liners hug the glass and slow down evaporation far better than dropper tops which tend to wick scent into the air over time. Keep every bottle as full as practical to minimise the pocket of oxygen that can trigger gradual oxidation.
Label each container clearly with the name Melusat, its concentration and any hazard symbols from your supplier’s safety sheet. You will thank yourself later when reaching for a quick mod or when sharing a bench with colleagues.
Small hobby-scale leftovers can be diluted heavily with warm soapy water then poured into the household drain while running plenty of additional water. Larger volumes should go to a local chemical disposal service or the facility recommended by your fragrance supplier. Melusat is readily biodegradable yet concentrated spills can still harm aquatic life so avoid tipping neat material onto soil or into waterways. Rinse empty bottles, let them air dry with the cap off then recycle the glass where facilities exist.
Summary
Melusat is an easygoing fruity ester that smells like a crisp mix of apple pear and a hint of white grape. Sitting mainly in the middle note zone it bridges bright tops and deeper bases without turning syrupy.
Its clean watery touch lifts citrus hearts, polishes green florals and freshens lavender fougères. The molecule survives soap cures and hot wax pours which explains why it shows up in everything from fine fragrance to candles and shampoos.
Cost is friendly, stability is solid and the scent profile is specific enough to add character yet broad enough to slot into many accords. In short it is a fun tool for perfumers of all levels so keep a bottle on the bench and let your next orchard-fresh idea take shape.