Diglycerides, vegetable-oil monoglycerides and diglycerides (CAS 97488-91-0) — Citrus Functional Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Citrus · Floral

Diglycerides, vegetable-_oil monoglycerides and diglycerides

CAS 97488-91-0

Origin
synthetic
Note
Functional
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Diglycerides, vegetable-_oil monoglycerides and diglycerides?

Diglycerides are synthetic emulsifiers derived from vegetable oils. You’ll find them in processed foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals where they help blend oil and water. While odorless themselves, they play a crucial role in stabilizing fragrances by preventing separation of aromatic components in complex formulations.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ FDA-approved for food use
⚖ No known fragrance restrictions
CAS
97488-91-0
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Citrus · Floral
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Diglycerides, vegetable-_oil monoglycerides and diglycerides Smell Like?

As a functional ingredient rather than an aromatic compound, diglycerides are odorless. Their value lies in their molecular structure – the partial glyceride backbone allows them to act as bridges between polar and non-polar substances. In perfumery, this translates to improved solubility of essential oils and better emulsion stability in alcohol-based sprays.

Layer 2

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Diglycerides consist of a glycerol molecule esterified with two fatty acid chains, typically derived from plant sources like palm or soybean oil. They’re produced through controlled hydrolysis of triglycerides or via glycerolysis. The specific fatty acid profile determines their hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), which ranges from 3-7 for common food-grade variants. Their amphiphilic nature makes them excellent stabilizers for oil-water interfaces.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearancePale yellow viscous liquid
HLB Range3-7
SolubilityDispersible in both oil and water phases

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Functional
Volatility
N/A
Blending
Excellent emulsifier
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Emulsion Stabilization0.5-2%Up to 5%Prevents fragrance oil separation
Spray Formulations1-3%Up to 8%Improves mist characteristics

Classic Accords

Tip: Use with polysorbates for complete emulsion systems in alcohol-based perfumes.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Polysorbate 20 CAS 9005-64-5

More water-soluble alternative with higher HLB for clear systems

2
Sorbitan oleate CAS 1338-43-8

Oil-soluble emulsifier for richer oil phase incorporation

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions – classified as processing aid rather than fragrance ingredient.

RIFM Assessment

Not evaluated by RIFM as it’s not a direct fragrance material.

Sustainability

Most commercial diglycerides come from RSPO-certified palm oil or non-GMO soybean sources. The glycerolysis process is relatively energy-efficient compared to complete triglyceride hydrolysis. Recent advances allow production from waste cooking oil streams, improving circular economy potential.

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References

  1. McClements, D.J. (2015). Food Emulsions. CRC Press.
  2. EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2017). Re-evaluation of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids. EFSA Journal. DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.5045

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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