Tonka Bean ABS Resinoid
Premium Natural Ingredient for Perfumery
Tonka Bean Resinoid is a natural aromatic extract derived from the seeds of Dipteryx odorata, predominantly sourced in Brazil and Venezuela. This semi-solid resinous material is produced through solvent extraction and dewaxing, yielding a rich, sweet-balsamic composition defined by coumarin—a naturally occurring lactone with a distinctive almond-like character. The resinoid offers warm, herbaceous, and caramel facets, functioning both as a fixative and non-floral sweetener in perfumery. Its structure-building capacity makes it ideal for chypres, fougères, and oriental bases.
Available in pure form or pre-diluted at 50% in DPG for easier handling and more precise dosing in formulation.
Premium Natural Ingredient for Perfumery
Tonka Bean Resinoid is a natural aromatic extract derived from the seeds of Dipteryx odorata, predominantly sourced in Brazil and Venezuela. This semi-solid resinous material is produced through solvent extraction and dewaxing, yielding a rich, sweet-balsamic composition defined by coumarin—a naturally occurring lactone with a distinctive almond-like character. The resinoid offers warm, herbaceous, and caramel facets, functioning both as a fixative and non-floral sweetener in perfumery. Its structure-building capacity makes it ideal for chypres, fougères, and oriental bases.
Available in pure form or pre-diluted at 50% in DPG for easier handling and more precise dosing in formulation.
Premium Natural Ingredient for Perfumery
Tonka Bean Resinoid is a natural aromatic extract derived from the seeds of Dipteryx odorata, predominantly sourced in Brazil and Venezuela. This semi-solid resinous material is produced through solvent extraction and dewaxing, yielding a rich, sweet-balsamic composition defined by coumarin—a naturally occurring lactone with a distinctive almond-like character. The resinoid offers warm, herbaceous, and caramel facets, functioning both as a fixative and non-floral sweetener in perfumery. Its structure-building capacity makes it ideal for chypres, fougères, and oriental bases.
Available in pure form or pre-diluted at 50% in DPG for easier handling and more precise dosing in formulation.
Natural Ingredient Overview
🏭 Manufacturer: Firmenich
🔎 Botanical Name: Dipteryx odorata
📂 CAS N°: 107898-54-4
📝 Odor Type: Almond, Coumarinic
📈 Odor Strength: Medium-high
👃🏼 Odor Profile: Rich, sweet, herbaceous-coumarinic with prune, caramel, and soft spicy undertones
⚗️ Uses: Fixative, non-floral sweetener for chypres, fougères, new mown hay, orientals, lavender and amber blends
🧴 Appearance: Semi-solid dark resin
What is Tonka Bean Resinoid?
Tonka Bean Resinoid is a solvent-extracted absolute from the seeds of Dipteryx odorata, a tropical legume native to South America. The beans are dried, cured, and then subjected to extraction and dewaxing to yield a concentrated aromatic resin. Its primary odorant, coumarin, imparts a unique herbal-almond scent that defines its olfactory identity.
The material has long been valued for its warmth, fixative strength, and smoothing properties, helping bridge sharp elements and extend the base note drydown in complex formulas.
Olfactory Profile & Perfumery Applications
Tonka Resinoid offers an enveloping warmth with:
Coumarinic backbone: herbal-almond character similar to new-mown hay
Caramel-prune sweetness: creamy, gourmand, rounded warmth
Drydown: soft-spicy, subtly vanillic, and long-lasting
These traits make it suitable for:
Chypres: smooths mossy-woody accords
Fougères: enhances herbal-lavender facets
Orientals: adds sweet-spicy density
New Mown Hay & Pastoral themes: offers a nostalgic aromatic anchor
Its fixative function helps bind volatile ingredients, while its non-floral sweetness adds natural depth without overt sugariness.
Creative Pairings and Applications
Tonka Bean Resinoid blends exceptionally with:
Lavender & Clary Sage: balances sharp herbals with warmth
Heliotropine & Bergamot: boosts creamy-floral and citrus accords
Amber & Vanilla: enriches oriental and gourmand structures
Cedarwood & Sandalwood: counters dryness with subtle sweetness
It is also explored in niche perfumery for:
Metallic/green contrasts (e.g., paired with galbanum or rhubarb)
Minimalist compositions needing soft complexity
Sustainability & Sourcing
Firmenich ensures sustainable and traceable sourcing of Dipteryx odorata from vetted South American cooperatives. Ethical harvesting supports local economies while minimizing environmental disruption. As demand for natural fixatives rises, sustainable Tonka sourcing aligns with the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry, particularly regarding renewable feedstocks and safer solvents.
Regulatory & Safety Overview
IFRA: Use permitted under current guidelines (check IFRA 51st Amendment for category-specific limits)
EU Allergen Declaration: Coumarin content subject to labeling above 0.001% (leave-on) or 0.01% (rinse-off)
FEMA GRAS: Not listed for ingestion; primarily perfumery use
ECHA / REACH: Classified as a natural complex substance; not hazardous in standard use
Toxicology: Mild dermal sensitizer; low systemic toxicity
Additional Information
Tonka Bean's use predates modern perfumery. Its sweet scent has been cherished since the 18th century, particularly in France, where coumarin was among the first synthetic odorants isolated from natural material (1868). Despite the development of synthetic coumarin, natural Tonka remains superior in olfactory complexity, offering nuances that synthetics cannot replicate.
Today, its legacy continues in classic fougères, modern niche gourmands, and olfactory recreations of tobacco, hay, and balsamic environments.
Sources
Firmenich Internal Dossier
IFRA Standards Documentation
Essential Oil Safety – Tisserand & Young
The Chemistry and Biology of Fragrances – Pybus & Sell
Perfume and Flavor Chemicals – Steffen Arctander
Scentspiracy Ingredient Archives
