Orange essence oil (CAS 68514-75-0) — Citrus Top Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Citrus · Sweet

Orange essence oil

CAS 68514-75-0

Origin
natural
Note
Top
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Orange essence oil?

Orange essence oil is a natural extract from orange peels, commonly found in perfumes, cleaning products, and food flavorings. It provides a fresh, sweet citrus aroma that brightens any scent or product. This oil matters because it’s renewable, biodegradable, and evokes universal associations with cleanliness and freshness, making it a staple in consumer goods.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ Safe for consumer products
⚠ Phototoxic at high concentrations
CAS
68514-75-0
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Citrus · Sweet
Key Constituents
Limonene
Limonene
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Orange essence oil Smell Like?

Orange essence oil bursts with a vibrant, juicy sweetness reminiscent of freshly peeled oranges. The initial zesty top notes carry a slight green bitterness like crushed leaves, evolving into a rounded heart of candied citrus peel. As it dries down, subtle woody undertones emerge, leaving a clean, refreshing trail that lasts surprisingly long for a citrus note.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Eau Sauvage(Dior, 1966)

The orange essence brightens the citrus top, contrasting with herbal notes to create the archetypal fresh cologne accord.

Orange Sanguine(Atelier Cologne, 2010)

Showcases orange essence as the star, magnifying its juicy character with blood orange and amber for exceptional realism.

Layer 2

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Orange essence oil primarily contains limonene (up to 90%), along with myrcene, alpha-pinene, and linalool. These monoterpenes are extracted through cold pressing of orange peels, preserving the volatile top notes. The composition varies by orange cultivar and growing conditions, with Valencia oranges prized for their particularly sweet profile.

Chemical Composition

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearancePale yellow to orange liquid
Specific Gravity0.842-0.850
Refractive Index1.472-1.476

Key Constituent Properties

ConstituentCASMWBP °CXLogPVapor P.
Limonene138-86-3136.23176 °C4.381.99 mmHg

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top
Volatility
High (15-30 min)
Blending
Excellent
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance2-10%Up to 15%Creates immediate freshness in citrus colognes
Household Cleaners0.5-2%Up to 5%Provides signature ‘clean’ scent

Classic Accords

+ Bergamot + Lemon = Citrus + Lavender + Oakmoss = Fougère + Vanilla + Tonka = Gourmand

Tip: Combine with fixatives like benzyl salicylate to extend citrus longevity.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Mandarin Oil CAS 8008-31-9

Softer, sweeter profile when a less sharp citrus is needed.

2
Limonene CAS 138-86-3

Pure isolated compound when only the primary citrus note is required.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No restrictions under IFRA standards. Limonene content requires proper storage to avoid oxidation.

EU Allergen Declaration

Contains limonene which may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.

GHS Classification

H315 Causes skin irritation H317 May cause allergic skin reaction

RIFM Assessment

Generally recognized as safe when used at typical concentrations.

Sustainability

Sustainable when sourced as a byproduct of orange juice production. Cold-pressed extraction has relatively low environmental impact compared to solvent extraction methods. Synthetic alternatives exist but lack the complexity of natural essence.

Explore Orange essence oil

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References

  1. Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
  2. PubChem Compound Summary for Limonene CID 22311

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 68514-75-0
Data Sources & Attribution
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.

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