Grapefruit oil, folded (CAS 68916-46-1) — Citrus Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Grapefruit oil, folded
CAS 68916-46-1
What Is Grapefruit oil, folded?
Folded grapefruit oil is a concentrated citrus essence made by distilling and fractionating regular grapefruit oil to intensify its bright, zesty character. You’ll find it in energizing body washes, summer colognes, and citrus-forward home fragrances. This ingredient matters because it delivers an authentic burst of grapefruit without the fleeting nature of standard citrus oils, making fragrances last longer while maintaining natural freshness.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Grapefruit oil, folded Smell Like?
A dazzling explosion of tart, juicy grapefruit with an almost metallic sharpness at first sniff. The opening is intensely solar—like biting into a ruby red grapefruit at sunrise, complete with bitter pith and a splash of acidity. As it evolves, sweeter nuances emerge: hints of candied citrus peel and a whisper of tropical mango. The dry-down reveals a clean, woody-amber undertone that prevents the citrus from disappearing too quickly. Unlike regular grapefruit oil, folded versions maintain their vibrancy for hours, with a lingering freshness reminiscent of citrus groves after rain.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Uses folded grapefruit oil to create an invigorating Mediterranean citrus accord that persists beyond the typical citrus fade, layered with aromatic herbs for a sophisticated summer scent.
Showcases folded grapefruit’s bittersweet facets against a base of vanilla and patchouli, creating a bold citrus that defies expectations with its lasting power.
The folded grapefruit here provides an electric sparkle to the top notes, cutting through the marine accord with crisp, mouthwatering intensity.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Folded grapefruit oil is produced via vacuum distillation of cold-pressed Citrus paradisi oil, concentrating the volatile terpenes (mainly limonene, 90-95%) and reducing less desirable waxy components. The folding process typically increases oxygenated compounds like nootkatone (0.1-0.5%), which contributes to grapefruit’s characteristic aroma. Unlike synthetic versions, natural folded oil contains trace sulfur compounds (e.g., 3-mercaptohexyl acetate) that provide authentic juicy facets. Chirality matters—the (R)-(+)-limonene dominant in natural oil smells fresher than racemic synthetic versions.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Pale yellow to pinkish liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 175-178 °C (main fraction) |
| Flash Point | 48 °C |
| Density | 0.84-0.86 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.472-1.476 |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limonene | 5989-27-5 | 136.23 | 175 | 4.2 | 1.5 mmHg |
| Nootkatone | 4674-50-4 | 218.33 | 170 | 3.8 | 0.001 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 2-5% | Up to 8% | Provides radiant citrus opening |
| Body Care | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Avoid high levels due to phototoxicity |
Classic Accords
Tip: Stabilize with antioxidants like BHT to prevent oxidation of terpenes.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Synthetic citrus-lime note with better stability when phototoxicity is a concern, though lacks grapefruit’s natural complexity.
Isolated key grapefruit molecule for targeted effects, but requires blending to recreate full oil character.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
IFRA 49: Limonene content requires allergen labeling above 0.1% in leave-on products. No quantitative restrictions.
EU Allergen Declaration
Limonene must be declared when concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on, 0.01% in rinse-off products.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels, with phototoxicity warnings for undiluted oil.
Sustainability
Most commercial grapefruit oil comes from Florida and Brazil as a byproduct of juice production. Folding reduces waste by utilizing more of the raw oil. Synthetic alternatives exist but lack the full spectrum of natural aroma. Terpene byproducts can be upcycled into other fragrance materials.
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References
- Dugo & Di Giacomo (2002). Citrus: The Genus Citrus. CRC Press. ISBN 9780415268337
- IFRA Standards Library Amendment 49 IFRA 49
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 68916-46-1Physical 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.
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