Celery seed absolute (CAS 8015-90-5) — Green Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Celery seed absolute
CAS 8015-90-5
What Is Celery seed absolute?
Celery seed absolute is a concentrated extract derived from celery seeds, primarily used in perfumery and flavoring. It’s found in niche fragrances and gourmand scents. This ingredient matters for its unique herbal-green aroma that adds depth and complexity to compositions, bridging the gap between fresh and earthy accords.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Celery seed absolute Smell Like?
Celery seed absolute bursts with an intense, green-herbal character reminiscent of freshly cut celery stalks and damp earth. The initial sharpness evolves into a warm, slightly peppery heart with subtle nutty undertones. Dry-down reveals a persistent earthy-anisic quality that blends beautifully with woody and spicy notes. Like biting into a crisp celery rib still glistening with morning dew, but transformed into an abstracted, perfumery version.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used for its unsettling hyper-realistic vegetal quality that contributes to the fragrance’s controversial ‘bodily fluids’ accord.
Provides a crisp, saline greenness that complements the fig and woody notes in this Mediterranean garden-inspired composition.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Celery seed absolute contains complex mixtures of phthalides (3-n-butylphthalide, sedanenolide), terpenes (limonene, selinene), and coumarins. These compounds are responsible for its characteristic aroma. The absolute is obtained through solvent extraction of Apium graveolens seeds, concentrating the lipophilic aromatic compounds. Phthalides in particular contribute both to the scent profile and potential physiological effects.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Viscous greenish-brown liquid |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol and oils |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Used for herbal-green accents |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Masking agent for household products |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use sparingly as it can dominate compositions; excellent for adding vegetal realism to green fragrances.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Similar herbal-celery profile but with more rooty-earthy undertones and less sharpness.
Single molecule isolate that provides the key celery character without the complexity of the full absolute.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA. Contains naturally occurring phthalates which are monitored under IFRA Standards.
EU Allergen Declaration
Contains limonene which requires declaration under EU allergen labeling regulations.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated celery seed oil but not the absolute specifically; similar precautions recommended.
Sustainability
Celery is widely cultivated globally with relatively low environmental impact. However, absolute production requires large quantities of plant material and solvents. Some producers are implementing CO2 extraction methods to reduce environmental footprint. Synthetic alternatives exist but lack the full complexity of natural celery seed absolute.
Explore Celery seed absolute
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References
- Sell, C. (2006). The Chemistry of Fragrances. RSC Publishing.
- PubChem Compound Summary for 3-n-Butylphthalide CID 5282107
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 8015-90-5Odor & Flavor
| The volatile oil is obtained by steam distillation of crushed seeds in approximately 1.5 to 2.5% yields. The seed oil has a pleasant, spicy-warm, sweet and rich “souplike,” long-lasting and powerful, slightly fatty odor, typical of the odor of the seed, but less “fresh” than the odor of the celery plant. The flavor is equally warm and spicy, somewhat burning and very powerful. Celery seed oil has one of the most diffusive odors and one of the most penetrating flavors. The essential oil is sometimes steam-distilled from leaves and stems; however, this oil is of inferior quality. Its addition to celery seed oil lowers the specific gravity and increases the optical rotation of the latter.📖 Fenaroli |
Regulatory Status
| IOFI Classification | Natural📖 Fenaroli |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
