This section provides an overview of damascenone, covering its manufacturing processes and regulatory status, applications in perfumery, personal care, food, beverage, and tobacco industries. Also, please check out the introduction to damascenone manufacturers, supply chain issues, damascenone suppliers, and damascenone prices. Sinofi can help you buy damascenone at bulk wholesale prices based on FEMA 3420 and CAS 23696˗85˗7.
Table of Contents
What is Damascenone?
Damascenone belongs to the rose ketone family of aroma chemicals, a group that includes the damascones (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta isomers) and related compounds. It is a cyclic monoterpene ketone compound known for its distinctive honey and floral aroma profile. Damascenone features a cyclohexadiene ring system bearing three methyl substituents at the 2,6,6-positions, with an unsaturated ketone side chain extending from the ring. Damascenone is derived biosynthetically from the degradation of carotenoids, specifically through a pathway involving neoxanthin as the primary precursor. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), damascenone is approved to be used in the flavour, fragrance, and food industries.
Regulatory Status and Safety Considerations
Damascenone has been evaluated by major regulatory bodies like JECFA, EUR-Lex, ECHACHEM, NIST, and WHO. Food and Chemical Toxicology also provides a systematic overview of the safety of damascenone. It appears on the FEMA GRAS list (FEMA number 3420), confirming its generally recognized as safe status for use in food flavours in the United States. The compound also holds approval under European Union flavouring regulations and is listed in the Codex Alimentarius. Nevertheless, formulation engineers should verify the current regulatory status in specific target markets, as requirements evolve. The fragrance standard of damascenone has been set by organizations such as IFRA.
Odor Threshold and Sensory Profile
What distinguishes damascenone from most other aroma compounds is its extraordinarily low odor detection threshold, reported at approximately 0.002 parts per billion in aqueous solution. This places damascenone among the most potent odorants known to flavour science, meaning that trace quantities can exert substantial influence on the overall character of a finished product.
The sensory profile of damascenone defies simple categorization. At high concentrations, it presents an intense, somewhat chemical character. However, at the dilutions typically employed in flavour work, the compound reveals a sophisticated bouquet encompassing fruity notes reminiscent of cooked apple and quince, floral rose-like nuances, honey-like sweetness, and subtle woody undertones. Many flavourists describe an additional tobacco or dried fruit quality that emerges at certain concentrations. This complexity enables damascenone to serve multiple functions within a single formulation.
Natural Occurrence
Damascenone occurs widely throughout the plant kingdom, typically as a degradation product of carotenoid precursors. Rose absolute and rose otto contain appreciable quantities, which account for the compound’s name, deriving from the Damascus rose. Beyond roses, damascenone has been identified in numerous foodstuffs including grapes and wine, where it contributes significantly to varietal character; black tea, where it participates in the characteristic aroma developed during fermentation; apples, particularly in cooked or processed forms; tomatoes, both fresh and processed; stone fruits such as apricots and plums; and coffee, where it emerges during the roasting process.
CAS No.: 23696˗85˗7
According to the American Chemical Society, the CAS number of damascenone is 23696˗85˗7.
CAS Name: 1-(2,6,6-Trimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadien-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one
Molecular Formula: C13H18O
Molecular Mass: 190.28
Appearance: Light yellow to yellow clear liquid.
JECFA Number: 3420
Food Chemicals Codex Listed: No
Boiling Point: 274.00 to 275.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Solubility: Soluble in alcohol; Insoluble in water.
Other Names:
♦ 2,6,6-Trimethyl-1-crotonyl-1,3-cyclohexadiene
♦ b-damascenone
♦ 2,6,6-trimethyl-1-(but-2-enoyl)-cyclohexa-1,3-dien
♦ 1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-dienyl) but-2-en-1one
♦ 1-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-dien-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one
Damascenone Odor
Odor Strength: High, recommend smelling in a 10.00 % solution or less.
Substantivity: 216 hour(s) at 100.00 %
Odor Description: At 10.00 % in dipropylene glycol. Fruity and floral aromas with notes of rose and tobacco.
FEMA Number 3420
According to the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA), the FEMA number of damascenone is 3420.
Bulk Damascenone Manufacturers
The global damascenone production is dominated by several multinational flavour and fragrance corporations. Top damascenone manufacturers like DSM-Firmenich, Givaudan, IFF, and Symrise have controlled a significant majority of the overall fragrance ingredient market. DSM-Firmenich stands as one of the premier damascenone producers globally. The company is widely regarded as producing the benchmark quality damascenone that many industry professionals consider superior to competing products.
Sinofi is a bulk damascenone manufacturer in China, and we have a manufacturing facility with 2,500 square meters for the production of damascenone. We supply high-quality damascenone at bulk prices and serve the perfumery, personal care, food, beverage, and tobacco industries worldwide.
Manufacturing Process of Damascenone
Industrial production of damascenone relies on several synthetic strategies, each with distinct advantages regarding scalability, cost-efficiency, and product purity.
Carotenoid Degradation Pathway
The biosynthetic origin of damascenone involves oxidative cleavage of carotenoid precursors, and this pathway has been adapted for industrial application. Neoxanthin, violaxanthin, and other C40 carotenoids serve as starting materials and undergo controlled oxidative degradation under acidic conditions. The process typically involves thermal treatment at elevated temperatures (80–120°C) in the presence of dilute acids, generating a mixture of norisoprenoid products from which damascenone is isolated through fractional distillation and chromatographic purification. While this approach mirrors natural biosynthesis, yields remain modest, and separation of the complex product mixture presents economic challenges.
Total Chemical Synthesis
Several total synthesis routes have been developed and commercialized for damascenone production.
The Wittig-based approach represents one established methodology. This route commences with 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-ene-1,4-dione (ketoisophorone) or related cyclohexenone derivatives. Key transformations include Wittig olefination to install the unsaturated side chain with appropriate stereochemistry, followed by functional group manipulations to arrive at the target ketone.
The aldol condensation approach offers an alternative pathway wherein cyclic ketone substrates undergo base-catalyzed aldol reactions with acetaldehyde or crotonaldehyde equivalents. Subsequent dehydration and isomerization steps furnish the conjugated dienone system. This approach benefits from relatively inexpensive starting materials but requires careful optimization to control regioselectivity and minimize over-condensation products.
Grignard-based methodologies have also found application in damascenone synthesis. The strategy involves nucleophilic addition of vinyl Grignard reagents to appropriately substituted cyclohexanone intermediates, followed by dehydration to establish the exocyclic double bond. Lewis acid-mediated rearrangements may be employed to access the thermodynamically favored conjugated isomer.
Bulk Damascenone Suppliers
The damascenone supply is dominated by established players in the flavour and fragrance sector, along with specialized chemical distributors. Top damascenone suppliers like DSM-Firmenich, Givaudan, IFF, and Symrise maintain a substantial presence in the aroma chemicals market and offer damascenone as part of their comprehensive ingredient portfolio for both fragrance and flavour applications. China has emerged as a dominant force in the Asia-Pacific region. Chinese damascenone suppliers often provide competitive prices with high-quality standards.
Sinofi is a bulk damascenone supplier in China, and we have a warehouse with 1,200 square meters for high-quality damascenone. We sell different grades of damascenone at wholesale prices, serving end-users in perfumery, personal care, food, beverage, and tobacco industries.
Supply Chain of Damascenone
The damascenone supply chain represents a specialized segment within the broader aroma chemicals market, characterized by technical complexity, concentrated production capacity, and demanding quality requirements.
Supply Chain Structure
The damascenone supply chain follows a multi-tiered structure that connects raw material suppliers to end consumers through a series of specialized intermediaries. The chain can be understood through five principal stages.
The first stage involves raw material suppliers who provide the foundational chemical precursors required for synthesis. Key starting materials include citral, ionone derivatives, and various aldehydes and ketones. These feedstocks are typically sourced from large petrochemical producers or specialized fine chemical manufacturers.
The second stage encompasses the manufacturing and synthesis segment, where damascenone manufacturers convert raw materials into damascenone through controlled chemical processes. Damascenone must meet stringent purity specifications.
The third stage comprises distribution and trading networks that connect manufacturers with downstream compounders and formulators. This segment includes chemical distributors, trading houses, and logistics providers with expertise in handling specialty aroma chemicals.
The final stage represents the end-use market, where fragrance houses, flavour companies, and industrial users incorporate damascenone into finished formulations. Primary applications include fine perfumery, personal care products, food and beverage flavouring, and tobacco products.
Wholesale and Buy Damascenone in Bulk
Procuring damascenone in wholesale quantities offers several strategic benefits. Volume pricing represents the most immediate advantage, as damascenone suppliers typically offer tiered discounts for larger orders that can substantially reduce per-unit costs. Bulk purchasing also provides supply continuity, reducing the risk of production disruptions caused by raw material shortages.
Key Considerations for Wholesale Procurement
When sourcing damascenone in bulk, purchasing managers should evaluate several critical factors.
Purity and quality specifications must align with end-use requirements. Food-grade applications typically demand higher purity levels and compliance with regulatory standards such as those established by the Food and Drug Administration, the European Food Safety Authority, or the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association. Technical-grade material may suffice for certain industrial applications at a lower cost.
Pricing structures vary among suppliers, and purchasing managers should seek transparent quotations that account for volume tiers, payment terms, and any applicable surcharges. It is advisable to obtain quotes from multiple qualified suppliers to benchmark market rates and negotiate favorable terms.
Selecting a Reliable Wholesale Supplier
Identifying reputable damascenone suppliers requires a combination of industry research and direct engagement. Established chemical distributors and specialty ingredient manufacturers with verifiable track records in aroma chemicals represent the most reliable sources.
As a bulk damascenone manufacturer and supplier in China, we wholesale this ingredient to end users in perfumery, personal care, food, beverage, and tobacco industries. We also supply damascenone to small customers. Normally, they want to buy damascenone in small quantities. To serve them, we can sell damascenone at bulk prices and provide a one-stop purchasing service.
Damascenone Prices (USD/Kg)
Fragrance Grade Damascenone Prices (GC Content >=95%)
| Volume | Unit Price | Shipment |
| 50g | 69 USD | Express |
| 500g | 343 USD | Express |
| 1Kg | 490 USD/Kg | Express |
| 20Kg | 20% cheaper | Express |
| 100Kg-Above | negotiable | Express / Sea |
Damascenone pricing in North America and Europe spans an enormous range depending on purity, quantity, and supplier tier, creating both risks and opportunities for procurement teams. Fragrance-grade damascenone from established suppliers commands $5,00-1,200 per kilogram based on bulk orders, while food-grade damascenone trades at $800-1,500/kg in bulk quantities exceeding 10 kilograms. Laboratory and analytical reference grades—essential for quality control—can exceed $2,500/kg for small quantities.
The price differential between synthetic and natural damascenone represents one of the market’s most significant considerations. Synthetic material dominates with approximately 60% market share, offering consistent quality and year-round availability at the prices noted above. Natural damascenone, extracted from Bulgarian rose oil or derived through fermentation processes, commands premiums of 5-10 times synthetic prices, reflecting both scarcity and the “clean label” positioning increasingly demanded by premium brands.
Furthermore, the above damascenone price quotations do not include the express shipping fee. The reason is that the shipment cost may exceed the sample value of damascenone. However, the bulk wholesale prices of damascenone will be much lower than those of small orders. Please contact us for more details.
Damascenone Specification
| Appearance | Light yellow to yellow liquid. |
| Odor: | Fruity and floral aromas with notes of rose and tobacco. |
| Purity (GC) | >=95%; >=98% |
| Refractive Index (20°C) | 1.5090 – 1.5150 |
| Specific Gravity (20°C) | 0.946 – 0.956 |
| Acid Value (mKOH/g) | <=1.0 |
| Heavy Metal (as Pb, mg/Kg) | <=10 |
| As (mg/Kg) | <=1 |
Damascenone Uses
Damascenone occupies a distinguished position in the palette of flavour and fragrance ingredients. Its unique combination of potency, versatility, and natural occurrence makes it indispensable for creating authentic fruit flavours and sophisticated scent compositions.
Applications in Food and Beverage
In the food industry, damascenone serves as a critical component in recreating and enhancing fruit flavours. Apple flavours rely heavily on damascenone to achieve authenticity, as the compound contributes the rich, fruity depth characteristic of ripe apples. Similarly, formulators use it to enhance berry flavours, tropical fruit compositions, and grape-based products.
The beverage sector represents another substantial market for damascenone. In wine production, the compound develops naturally during fermentation and aging, contributing to the complexity prized in quality vintages. Flavor houses incorporate synthetic damascenone into non-alcoholic beverages, teas, and fruit juices to boost perceived ripeness and add sophisticated fruity undertones.
Applications in Fragrance
Perfumers value damascenone for its multifaceted olfactory character, which combines rosy, fruity, and slightly woody notes. In fine fragrance, the compound appears in floral compositions where it reinforces rose accords and adds natural depth. Its ability to impart a sense of opulence and richness makes it particularly useful in luxury formulations. Beyond fine fragrance, damascenone finds extensive use in functional products such as personal care items, household cleaners, and air fresheners. Its stability and potency allow formulators to achieve desired scent profiles while managing costs effectively.
Damascenone Benefits
Damascenone stands as one of the most fascinating and influential aromatic compounds found in nature. Named after the Damascus rose from which it was first isolated, this ketone compound plays a far more significant role in our daily lives than most people realize.
Benefits for Wine and Beverage Quality
In aged wines, damascenone concentrations typically increase over time as it forms from carotenoid degradation during bottle aging. This helps explain why well-aged wines often develop the complex, honeyed, and dried fruit characteristics that connoisseurs prize. The compound contributes to what tasters describe as “aged bouquet” and adds depth to the overall sensory experience. Beyond wine, damascenone enhances the flavour profiles of apple cider, beer, whiskey, and various fruit juices.
Contributions to Food Flavor
In the food industry, damascenone serves as a valuable flavouring agent. It contributes to the characteristic aromas of many processed foods and beverages, helping to recreate natural fruit flavours. The compound is particularly important in formulating apple, grape, and berry flavours for various applications. Its presence naturally in tea leaves contributes to the floral notes prized in high-quality teas, while in coffee, it develops during roasting and adds to the beverage’s aromatic complexity.
Damascenone in E-Liquid and Vaping Products
Among the thousands of flavouring compounds used in vaping products, damascenone stands out as a particularly versatile ingredient.
Role of Damascenone in E-Liquids
In e-liquid formulations, damascenone serves as a food-grade flavouring agent primarily used to impart floral, fruity, and wine-like characteristics to vaping products. Damascenone is a food-grade flavouring used in wines and other foods requiring a floral essence. The compound is particularly common in tobacco-flavoured e-liquids, where it contributes to the authentic tobacco taste profile, as well as in fruit, wine, and floral-themed vaping products.
E-liquids typically contain damascenone at very low concentrations, often around 0.2% or less of the total formulation. A typical e-liquid composition might include propylene glycol as the base (approximately 74%), along with various flavourings such as vanilla extract, malic acid, and damascenone, among others.
The compound’s exceptional potency means that manufacturers can achieve desired flavour effects while using minimal quantities, which is economically advantageous and helps maintain appropriate viscosity in the e-liquid solution.
Regulatory Framework and Industry Standards
The regulatory landscape for e-liquid flavourings continues to evolve. In the United States, the FDA requires manufacturers of vaping products to submit premarket applications demonstrating that their products are appropriate for public health protection. The EU Tobacco Products Directive establishes that all substances with Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reprotoxic (CMR) properties are not authorised in e-liquids, irrespective of their presence in the aerosols.
Several countries have taken more restrictive approaches, banning flavoured e-liquids entirely or limiting available flavour categories. These regulatory actions reflect growing concerns about the safety profile of flavouring compounds when inhaled and their role in making vaping products appealing to youth.
Manufacturers are required to comply with labeling requirements, although flavouring components are often not included in e-cigarette products’ ingredient lists, with many products simply labeled as containing “natural or artificial flavours.”
A Method for Preparing Blueberry-Flavoured Nicotine Pouches
The method includes the following steps (by weight):
1. Accurately weigh the following components: nicotine tartrate salt 3.6 parts, microcrystalline cellulose 43 parts, and blueberry solid flavour 30 parts; mix the above components to obtain a dry mixture.
2. Prepare and weigh the following components: xylitol 10 parts, sucralose 0.35 parts, cooling agent WS-23 0.25 parts, sodium chloride 2 parts, sodium carbonate 2 parts, glycerol 1.5 parts, and purified water 25 parts; mix the above components using a stirrer at a speed of 800 rpm for 5 minutes to obtain a binding solution.
3. Add the binding solution and the dry mixture simultaneously to a wet granulation machine for granulation. The parameters for wet granulation are: granulation knife speed 2000 r/min, stirring speed 500 r/min, granulation time 10 min, and solution feeding rate 10 mL/min; after granulation, the sample is sieved through a 20-mesh sieve to obtain the wet granulated base material for blueberry-flavoured nicotine pouches.
4. Divide the obtained wet granulated base material for blueberry-flavoured nicotine pouches into non-woven fabric pouches and seal them to obtain blueberry-flavoured nicotine pouches.
The preparation method of blueberry solid flavour includes the following steps (by weight):
(1) Accurately weigh the following components: raspberry ketone 30 parts, ethyl butyrate 15 parts, maltol 5 parts, geranyl butyrate 5 parts, acetic acid 1 part, beta-ionone 0.6 parts, dimethyl sulfide 1 part, butyric acid 2 parts, buchu leaf oil 1 part, damascenone 0.2 parts, cis-3-hexenol 0.4 parts, isobutyl acetate 0.4 parts, menthol 0.2 parts, isoamyl acetate 0.5 parts, ethyl maltol 0.1 parts; add the above components to 33 parts of propylene glycol, stir with a stirrer at 500 rpm for 5 minutes, and then perform ultrasonic treatment for 10 minutes to achieve thorough mixing, finally obtaining mixture 1.
(2) Accurately weigh the following components: 2-methylbutyric acid 10 parts, benzyl acetate 12 parts, dimethylbenzyl butyrate 8 parts, gamma-decalactone 6 parts, linalool 1 part, aldehyde C-16 5 parts, ethyl propionate 3 parts, trans-2-hexenoic acid 2 parts, isoamyl butyrate 15 parts, thiomenthone 10 parts, ethyl acetate 60 parts; add the above components to 888 parts of a 95% ethanol solution, stir with a stirrer at 500 rpm for 5 minutes, and then perform ultrasonic treatment for 10 minutes to achieve thorough mixing, finally obtaining mixture 2.
(3) Mix mixture 1 and mixture 2 in a weight ratio of 9:1, place in a planetary mixer, and stir at 100 rpm for 30 minutes until the system is completely homogeneous, obtaining the blueberry liquid flavour base.
(4) Mix 2.8 parts of blueberry liquid flavouring base and 7 parts of gamma-cyclodextrin in a mixer at 800 rpm for 5 minutes until the blueberry liquid flavouring base is completely adsorbed by the cyclodextrin (no obvious liquid residue). Then add 0.2 parts of ethyl vanillin glucoside and continue mixing under the same conditions for 10 minutes to obtain the blueberry solid flavouring.
In conclusion, damascenone exemplifies how a single compound, present in only trace amounts, can profoundly influence our sensory experiences. As a bulk damascenone manufacturer and supplier in China, we sell different grades of damascenone at wholesale prices to clients around the world.