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Citral
Citral is a linear aldehyde aroma component with a strong, fresh lemon scent. Its aroma is bright, clean, and highly sillage, making it a core ingredient in citrus and fresh fragrance formulations. Its aroma is highly recognizable and is often used to create a “fresh, lively, and natural” olfactory impression.
Type
Fruity
The scent is bright, sharp, and clear, presenting a refreshing, tart aroma reminiscent of natural lemon peel, accompanied by subtle grassy notes and an aldehyde undertone. It has a significant uplifting effect and a very strong top note performance.
Acquisition Methods
Natural extraction or chemical synthesis
Citral can be extracted from lemongrass oil, geranium oil, and lemon oil, and can also be produced through the oxidation or isomerization of terpenoids such as geraniol and nerol. Natural sources offer a more “natural lemon flavor,” while synthetic methods have advantages in stability and cost control, making them suitable for industrial applications.
Basic Information
| English Name | Citral |
| Common Industry Names | Geranialdehyde, Citral |
| Chemical Category | Unsaturated Aliphatic Aldehydes |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₀H₁₆O |
| Molecular Weight | 152.23 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 5392-40-5 |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow transparent liquid |
Technical Data
| Boiling point | 228–229 °C |
| Melting point | −9 °C |
| Flash point | 102 °C (closed cup) |
| Density (20 °C) | Approx. 0.888 g/cm³ |
| Solubility | Easily soluble in ethanol and essential oil systems; Insoluble in water |
| Stability | Sensitive to light, air, and alkaline environments; easily oxidized; it is generally recommended to add antioxidants to improve formulation stability. |
Chemical Structure
C₁₀H₁₆O
Fragrance Characteristics
| Fragrance Characteristics | Strong lemon, fresh and tart, bright and clean, with a slightly grassy and oily undertone. |
| Fragrance Notes | Top Note |
| Common Pairings | Bergamot, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Hedione |
| Applications | Perfumes (citrus, cologne), fragrances (shampoos, shower gels, laundry detergents), home fragrances and air fresheners, industrial fragrances and functional flavorings |
Safety and Compliance
| IFRA Guidelines | Citral is an IFRA-restricted ingredient, with specific maximum permitted concentrations in various product categories. Formulations must strictly adhere to the latest IFRA standards. |
| Stability | Oxidation may produce irritating byproducts. It is recommended to store it away from light, in a sealed container, and use it in conjunction with an antioxidant system. |
| Allergy Risk | Citral is listed by the EU as a potential sensitizing fragrance ingredient requiring labeling. It has some skin irritation potential; careful evaluation is necessary before using high concentrations. |
Application Highlights
- The lemon scent is highly recognizable; a single drop can “brighten” the entire formula.
- It has strong top-note sillage, making it ideal for creating a fresh and clean scent profile.
- It offers excellent value for money in the daily chemical and functional fragrance market.
- It can be marketed naturally or supplied industrially for stable production, offering great application flexibility.
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