Champaca Absolute (CAS 85085-26-3) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Champaca Absolute
CAS 85085-26-3
What Is Champaca Absolute?
Champaca Absolute is a luxurious floral extract derived from the golden-yellow flowers of the Michelia champaca tree, native to Southeast Asia. It’s cherished in high-end perfumery and traditional ceremonies. This ingredient matters for its rare, intoxicating floral scent that bridges tropical richness with delicate tea-like nuances, making it a prized component in niche fragrances.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Champaca Absolute Smell Like?
Champaca Absolute unfolds with an opulent, honeyed floral bouquet reminiscent of orange blossoms and jasmine, layered with apricot-like fruitiness. The heart reveals a creamy, almost buttery texture with subtle spicy undertones. Dry-down brings a sophisticated tea-leaf nuance and warm, woody base notes that linger elegantly. Its complexity evokes tropical gardens at dusk, with a balance between radiant sweetness and earthy depth.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Features champaca as the star, amplified by cognac and cinnamon for a decadent, boozy floral with oriental warmth.
Champaca blends with jasmine and rose in this classic, creating one of perfumery’s most expensive floral bouquets.
Showcases champaca’s tea-like facets with black hemlock and ginger for a modern, translucent floral.
Uses champaca’s animalic undertones to complement musk and oakmoss in this skin-like scent.
Pairs champaca’s creaminess with tuberose for a lush, solar white floral composition.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Champaca Absolute is a complex natural mixture containing sesquiterpenes, benzenoids, and fatty acid derivatives. Key aroma compounds include linalool, indole, and methyl anthranilate. The absolute is obtained through solvent extraction of the concrete, preserving heat-sensitive compounds that would be lost in distillation. Its golden-orange color comes from carotenoids and other lipophilic pigments co-extracted from the flowers.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Viscous golden-orange liquid |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Used sparingly due to intensity |
| Candles | 1-3% | Up to 8% | Provides excellent scent throw |
| Luxury Soaps | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Adds floral depth |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use champaca to add natural radiance to white floral accords – it bridges jasmine and tuberose beautifully.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers similar creamy floralcy with better stability in soap formulations.
Provides comparable apricot-tea nuances for more affordable compositions.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Contains naturally occurring benzyl alcohol (≤1%) and benzyl benzoate (≤2%).
EU Allergen Declaration
Contains benzyl benzoate (allergen listed in Annex III). Must be declared above 0.001% in leave-on products.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels. No significant sensitization risk when properly diluted.
Sustainability
Champaca is sustainably wild-harvested from mature trees in India and Southeast Asia. Ethical sourcing initiatives ensure fair wages for flower pickers. The solvent extraction process has high yield efficiency (≈0.8-1.2% absolute from fresh flowers). Synthetic reconstructions exist but lack the full spectrum of natural champaca’s complexity.
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References
- Kaiser, R. (2006). Meaningful Scents Around the World. Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta.
- Arctander, S. (1960). Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 85085-26-3Odor & Flavor
| Massoia bark oil has a coconut, lactone odor and a smooth, coconut, lactone, butter taste.📖 Fenaroli |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
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.
