What Is Rhuboflor?
Rhuboflor is a modern aroma chemical that delivers a bright rhubarb sensation to perfumes and fragranced products. It is created by DSM-Firmenich, a large supplier of ingredients for the fragrance industry, though smaller labs sometimes offer generic versions produced by similar synthetic routes. The molecule is built in the lab from simple chemical building blocks, allowing consistent purity from batch to batch rather than relying on plant harvests.
At room temperature the material is a clear mobile liquid that pours easily and blends well with most perfume solvents. Because it is not a natural extract it shows good stability, resisting oxidation and color change when stored correctly. Kept in a tightly closed container away from heat and light it generally stays fresh for two to three years before its odour starts to fade.
Rhuboflor is used quite often by perfumers who need a crisp realistic rhubarb note or want to add a green fruity sparkle to floral accords. It is potent, so only small amounts are required which helps balance the cost. Prices sit in the mid-range for specialty aroma molecules, making it accessible for fine fragrance as well as soaps and candles.
Rhuboflor’s Scent Description
This ingredient falls into the fruity olfactory family. Off a blotter it opens with an instant burst of fresh cut rhubarb, both tart and lightly sweet. A green leafy facet runs alongside, suggesting the stalks and leaves just after they are snapped. Within a few minutes a soft berry nuance peeks through, then a subtle powdery root note appears that recalls orris and violet root, giving the material unexpected depth.
Perfumers speak of top, middle and base notes to describe the life of a fragrance. Rhuboflor sits mainly in the top to early heart. It announces itself quickly then links smoothly into the mid where its earthy root tone lingers. It is not heavy enough to qualify as a true base note, yet traces can still be detected on a smelling strip at the six-hour mark.
Projection is strong in the first hour, carrying its tart freshness across a room. As the greener facets fade the scent settles closer to the skin or fabric, leaving a gentle fruity whisper that lasts most of the afternoon.
How & Where To Use Rhuboflor
Perfumers usually reach for Rhuboflor when they want a crisp rhubarb signature that feels natural rather than candy sweet. It slides neatly into fruity green top accords, where it can replace or boost natural rhubarb COâ‚‚ extracts that are costly and unstable. In a floral bouquet it lends lift, letting rose, orange blossom or hyacinth smell fresher without turning the blend overly sugary.
The molecule is potent so most formulas sit between traces and 1 %, climbing toward 3 % in bold niche work and rarely touching 5 %. At trace levels it gives a gentle leafy freshness with little tartness. Around 0.5 % the berry nuance becomes noticeable and the earthy orris facet starts to bloom. Push it past 2 % and the note turns sharper and more vegetal which can overshadow delicate petals or musk bases.
For best results treat Rhuboflor as the main rhubarb in a trio: pair it with a small amount of dihydromyrcenol for sparkle and a dash of raspberry ketone or rosyrane for extra fruit. In green chypres it harmonises with galbanum and violet leaf absolute, while in gourmand work it contrasts nicely against creamy vanilla and custard lactones.
There are a few caveats. In very soapy bases the note may thin out, so anchor it with ionone beta or Iso E Super to keep the green effect alive. High dosages in candles can smell acidic, so keep levels low and blend with berry aldehydes to round the edge. Rhuboflor survives most surfactant systems, yet in bleach cleaners it can fade quickly.
No special prep is needed beyond a standard 10 % ethanol or dipropylene glycol dilution for evaluation. Because the liquid is clear it does not stain, though wiping bottle threads after use prevents crusting. Always record the addition as weight, not drops, since a few milligrams can swing the balance.
Safely Information
Always dilute Rhuboflor before smelling it. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle and work in a well-ventilated area to minimise inhalation of concentrated vapours. Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses so the liquid never touches skin or eyes.
Like many aroma chemicals it can provoke irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a healthcare professional before handling it. Brief exposure at low levels is generally considered safe but prolonged contact or high concentrations raise the risk of respiratory and dermal problems.
Rhuboflor is combustible above its flashpoint of 100 °C, so keep it away from hot surfaces and store only small working volumes at the bench. Clean spills with absorbent material then wash the area with soapy water. Dispose of waste following local solvent regulations, never down the sink.
Always study the latest Material Safety Data Sheet from your supplier and revisit it regularly in case of updates. Observe current IFRA guidelines for maximum usage percentages in each product type to keep consumers and yourself protected.
How To Store & Dispose of Rhuboflor
Rhuboflor keeps its punch longest when stored in a cool dark place such as a closed cabinet or dedicated perfume fridge. Chilling is not required but it slows oxidation and color shift, giving you an extra year or so of peak freshness. Wherever you place it make sure the spot stays below normal room heat and never sits in direct sunlight.
Use glass bottles with tight-sealing polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. These liners grip the neck and limit air seepage far better than eye-dropper tops that often leak or let solvent evaporate. Top up containers whenever possible so the headspace stays small and oxygen has less room to work on the liquid.
Label every bottle clearly with the ingredient name, percentage if diluted and hazard symbols from the supplier SDS. Add the date you opened the container, then rotate older stock forward so it gets used first. Keep Rhuboflor separate from reactive acids and strong bleach as the combination can dull the odour and create off notes.
When a batch reaches the end of its life pour leftovers into your lab’s solvent waste drum or take them to a municipal hazardous collection point. Do not flush down sinks or storm drains since the molecule breaks down only slowly in water treatment plants. Rinse empty bottles with a small splash of alcohol, add the rinse to waste then recycle or throw out the clean glass following local rules.
Summary
Rhuboflor is a synthetic fruity green molecule from DSM-Firmenich that delivers a vivid tart rhubarb splash touched by berry and earthy root facets. It sits in the top to early heart of a perfume, lifting florals or giving a crisp realistic rhubarb signature at dosages usually below one percent.
The ingredient has earned a steady spot in modern fragrance palettes because it is more stable and cost-effective than natural rhubarb extracts, yet smells surprisingly true to the plant. Perfumers like its six-hour staying power and the way it bridges into rose, orris or leafy accords, though its high potency means heavy doses can overpower delicate notes.
Rhuboflor stores well for several years if kept cool and tightly capped, and its mid-range price makes it accessible for fine fragrance, soaps and even candles. You can purchase original material in commercial quantities from DSM-Firmenich, while smaller packs and generic equivalents are widely sold by specialist resellers for hobbyists and indie brands.