Manzanate complete product overview

Chemical name — Ethyl 2-methylpentanoate

📂 CAS N° — 39255-32-8

📘 FEMA — 3488

⚖️ MW — 144,2 g/mol

📝 Odor type — Fruity, fresh, apple-like

📈 Odor Strength — Medium

👃🏼 Odor Profile — Manzanate has a fruity ripe apple character with aspects of cider and sweet pineapple. It brings a great impact and bloom in water-contact products (Givaudan).

⚗️ Uses — Used in fine fragrances, personal care products (shampoos, lotions), food flavorings (candies, beverages), and gourmand compositions in perfumery.

Historical Background

Manzanate, chemically known as Ethyl 2-methylpentanoate, is a synthetic ester commonly used in perfumery for its fruity, apple-like aroma. Synthetic esters like Manzanate became prominent during the 20th century, when the fragrance industry started to seek more consistent, stable, and long-lasting alternatives to natural fruit extracts. Manzanate is valued for its ability to impart a fresh and fruity top note, making it a key ingredient in modern fruity and fresh compositions.

Olfactory Profile

Manzanate is renowned for its fruity, crisp, and apple-like aroma, often described as bright and juicy, with nuances that evoke the scent of fresh-cut apples, pineapple, and cider.

Odor Characteristics:

• Fruity

• apple-like

• Crisp and fresh

• Pineapple-like and cider nuances

Applications in Perfumery and Product Categories

Manzanate is extensively used in fragrances to create vibrant, fruity top notes. Its fresh apple scent makes it a perfect choice for a wide range of fragrance families:

• Fine Fragrances: Manzanate adds a crisp, fruity note in floral, fruity, and fresh compositions. It serves as an excellent top note that blends seamlessly with other fruity or green notes.

• Personal Care Products: Due to its clean and fruity scent, Manzanate is ideal for shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and lotions, providing a refreshing and long-lasting fragrance. Its ability to function well in water-contact products makes it ideal for these categories.

• Household Products: Manzanate is also found in air fresheners, fabric softeners, detergents, and soaps, where its ability to mask base odors and contribute to fragrance bloom is highly valued.

Fragrance Families:

• Fruity: The apple-like scent makes it popular in fruity accords.

• Green: It pairs well with green notes, such as cut grass and herbal elements.

• Fresh: Complements citrus and fresh notes, adding vibrancy and clarity to the overall fragrance.

Usage in Fragrance Formulation

Concentration Levels:

• Fine Fragrance: Typically used at concentrations of 0.5% to 2% to impart a crisp, fruity top note.

• Personal Care Products: Used at concentrations of 0.5% to 1.5% in shampoos, body washes, and lotions for a refreshing, fruity aroma.

• Household Products: In air fresheners, detergents, and fabric softeners, concentrations of up to 3% can be used for a stronger, longer-lasting scent.

Blending Suggestions:

• With Florals: Works well with floral notes like lily of the valley and jasmine, enhancing their softness with a fruity counterpoint.

• With Green Notes: Pairs effectively with galbanum and violet leaf to amplify their fresh, green character.

• With Citrus: Blends smoothly with citrus notes like lemon, lime, and bergamot, contributing to a crisp, zesty fragrance.

Regulatory Information and Safety

IFRA Guidelines:

Manzanate (Ethyl 2-methylpentanoate) is generally regarded as safe for use in perfumery and personal care products within IFRA guidelines. It is subject to standard IFRA regulations for synthetic esters, particularly concerning its use in skin-contact products to avoid sensitization or irritation.

• Maximum Usage Levels:

  • Fine fragrances and personal care products: under 2%.

  • Functional products (air fresheners, detergents): concentrations up to 3%.

Safety Considerations:

Manzanate is generally considered non-sensitizing, but as with all fragrance ingredients, it is advisable to test formulations on sensitive skin before wide use.

Environmental Impact

• Biodegradability: As a synthetic ester, Manzanate is classified as biodegradable, breaking down relatively easily in the environment.

• Aquatic Toxicity: There is no significant evidence of aquatic toxicity for Manzanate, but proper disposal methods should still be followed to minimize environmental impact.

Conclusion

Manzanate (Ethyl 2-methylpentanoate) is a versatile and refreshing fragrance molecule that imparts a crisp, green apple-like note to various fragrance compositions. Its clean and bright aroma makes it a staple in fine fragrances, personal care products, and household applications. Whether used on its own or blended with floral, green, or citrus notes, Manzanate enhances the freshness and vibrancy of a fragrance's top notes, providing a juicy and invigorating start to any composition.

References

Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals (Aroma Chemicals). Allured Publishing Corporation.

International Fragrance Association (IFRA). (2021). IFRA Standards. Retrieved from https://ifrafragrance.org/

NIST. (2023). Pentanoic acid, 2-methyl-, ethyl ester Data [NIST Chemistry WebBook]. Retrieved from https://webbook.nist.gov/chemistry/