Perfumes

Abstract

This article surveys the essential aspects of perfume creation and the fragrance industry, providing brief notes on the history of fragrance use and a list of odor descriptors. It discusses the creation of and illustrates with examples both fine and functional fragrances, summarizing in particular the performance requirements of the latter group in a number of applications. It describes different perfume ingredients, natural as well as synthetic, and offers information about their origin, fragrance characteristics, and uses. In addition, it examines the chemical structures and odors of some typical aroma chemicals by functional groups.The article also covers such topics on fragrance research as the analysis of natural products, synthesis of aroma chemicals, structure–odor considerations, process research and development, and psychological effects of fragrance. Finally, it reviews the manufacture and quality control of perfumes and ingredients, and supplies an overview of the economic, safety, environmental, and regulatory aspects of the industry.

Perfumery Radar: A Predictive Tool for Perfume Family Classification

“…The composition of fragrance components ranges from 10−30% for some compounds, down to trace levels (ppm) for others. Solvents are also used in the formulation process, ethanol and water being the most common, as well as diethyl phthalate (DEP) or dipropylene glycol (DPG). − The classification of perfumes according to their composition is represented in Table .…”