What Is Phenyl Acetaldehyde 85%/Pea?
Phenyl Acetaldehyde 85%/Pea is an aroma ingredient first noted in scientific records in the late 1870s when chemists were cataloging by-products of plant distillation. Today it is usually produced on an industrial scale by a straightforward chemical process that starts with styrene followed by careful oxidation and purification. The resulting material contains at least 85 percent of the target molecule, giving it a consistent quality from batch to batch.
Although the molecule can be found in nature in foods like honey and cocoa, the volume needed by modern perfumery means most supply is synthesized in the lab. This synthetic route keeps quality high and cost low, so the material is considered affordable and widely accessible for fragrance houses of all sizes. In its pure form it looks like a clear watery liquid and stays fluid at normal room temperatures which makes it easy to weigh, mix and pump during production.
Because it offers a strong scent impact at low doses and blends smoothly with many other raw materials, Phenyl Acetaldehyde 85%/Pea is a staple in countless fine fragrance, personal care and household formulas. Its simple manufacturing route and good shelf stability further add to its popularity among perfumers.
What Does Phenyl Acetaldehyde 85%/Pea Smell Like?
This ingredient sits comfortably in the floral family. Off a blotter it opens with a bright garden-fresh rose effect touched by cut-leaf greenery. Within seconds a subtle honey nuance surfaces, giving the floral note a soft sweet depth without turning syrupy. The overall impression is lively, clean and slightly dewy rather than powdery or heavy.
In perfumery we talk about top, middle and base notes to describe how a scent unfolds over time. Phenyl Acetaldehyde 85%/Pea is a classic top-to-middle note: it flashes out quickly to announce itself, lingers for a short while then hands the stage to warmer heart materials. You can expect several hours of detectable presence on a paper blotter before it fades, which is respectable for a fresh floral component.
Projection is high at the outset so even small amounts lift a blend and help it travel through the air. Longevity on skin is moderate; it will not last all day unaided but pairs well with longer-lived florals, musks or woods that extend the bouquet once the opening brightness has settled.
How & Where To Use Phenyl Acetaldehyde 85%/Pea
This is one of those cheerful materials that behaves well on the strip and in the beaker so most perfumers consider it a pleasure to handle. It weighs and pours easily, dissolves in the usual solvents without fuss and does not cling to glassware like some sticky florals do.
Formulation wise it shines as a fresh rosy top embellisher. You will often see it slipped into a rose or muguet accord at 0.05 % to 0.3 % of the concentrate to give instant lift and a hint of dewy greenery. At trace levels it can brighten citrus openings while staying silent in the background, whereas at 0.5 % to 1 % it pushes forward a clear honey-rose character that can even steer a fragrance toward a sweet floral theme all by itself.
Because its impact is high and its evaporation curve is quick, perfumers reach for it when they want a floral statement right out of the cap then plan to hand the baton to longer-lived materials such as phenylethyl alcohol, rose oxide or certain musks. It partners especially well with benzyl acetate, linalool and hedione for sparkling spring bouquets and also fits gourmand accords where the natural honey note bridges smoothly to cocoa, vanilla or caramel facets.
Applications stretch across fine fragrance, fabric softener, shampoo and liquid detergents. Bloom in cold-process soap is solid yet the scent does not last long on dry cloth so fabric rinse-off products may need a fixative back-end. In candles its burning effectiveness is only moderate so other high-temperature florals usually take the lead there.
Perceived smell shifts with dose: tiny amounts give a leafy freshness, mid-range levels show clean rose and pronounced percentages lean into warm honey that can edge toward almond if the formula already contains heliotropin or coumarin. Testing at several dilutions is the easiest way to find the balance you like.
Prep work is minimal. Many perfumers keep it prediluted to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol which both tames the volatility and improves weighing accuracy at sub-percent levels. The molecule can oxidize over long storage so make sure the working solution is capped tightly and refreshed every year.
Safety Information
Like any concentrated aroma ingredient Phenyl Acetaldehyde 85%/Pea calls for sensible handling practices in the lab or studio.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 % or weaker solution in a suitable solvent before smelling or blending
- Avoid direct inhalation: do not sniff straight from the bottle use a blotter or smelling strip instead
- Ventilation: work in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood to reduce airborne vapor build-up
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep liquid away from skin and eyes
- Health considerations: prolonged or repeated contact may cause irritation or sensitization and some individuals can develop allergies consult a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant breastfeeding or have respiratory issues brief low-level exposure is typically safe but high concentrations should be avoided
The above points are only a quick guide. Always consult the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor, check it periodically for updates and follow any IFRA usage limits that apply to your finished product type.
Storage And Disposal
When kept in ideal conditions Phenyl Acetaldehyde 85%/Pea stays within spec for roughly two years after the manufacturing date. Many users find it still fine at three years if it has been handled with care.
A fridge set between 4 °C and 8 °C stretches the shelf life further, yet room temperature storage is perfectly acceptable as long as the bottle sits in a cool dark cupboard away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
Oxidation is the main enemy. Use bottles with tight polycone caps for both the neat material and any dilutions. Avoid glass dropper tops because the rubber bulb slowly breathes air which speeds up degradation.
Keep containers as full as possible. If you decant a working portion move the remainder into a smaller vial so the air gap stays minimal. Check the liquid every few months; any yellowing or off odor means the batch is past its best and should be replaced.
Label every container clearly with the name Phenyl Acetaldehyde 85%/Pea, the date it was opened and key safety phrases such as “irritant” and “handle with gloves.” Good labeling prevents mix ups and reminds coworkers of proper precautions.
The molecule is readily biodegradable yet it can be harmful to aquatic life at high concentrations. Small lab spills can be wiped with absorbent paper then disposed of in the chemical waste bin. For larger volumes collect the liquid in a sealed drum and send it to a licensed hazardous waste facility. Do not pour it straight into drains or outdoor soil.
Empty bottles should be triple rinsed with a little solvent, aired until odor free then recycled if local rules allow. If in doubt follow your municipality’s guidance for flammable organic residues.
Summary
Phenyl Acetaldehyde 85%/Pea is a versatile floral aroma chemical prized for its bright rosy greenery and delicate honey tone. It lifts top notes, refreshes heart bouquets and even bridges gourmand accords with ease.
Affordable and easy to blend, it performs well in fine fragrance, hair care and household products although you will need support materials to extend its moderate skin life. A touch of care with storage prevents oxidation and keeps that sparkling scent intact.
Whether you are polishing a classic rose, brightening citrus or adding a natural honey twist this material is fun to play with and earns its spot in almost every perfumer’s toolkit.