Volume Molecules · A
Citral
A lemon-sharp aldehyde supplied as the neral/geranial mixture: green, juicy and slightly bitter. It is the workhorse lemon material for anyone who needs lemon that stays clean rather than fruity.
CAS number
5392-40-5
Olfactory family
Lemon / citronella
Minimum order
25 kg
Lead time
7-14 days
Short answer
Citral (CAS 5392-40-5) is a biosynthetic aroma molecule in the Lemon / citronella family, produced by biological synthesis rather than extracted from a botanical. Large tonnage in personal care and home fragrance. Biotransformation is industrialised in China, and European customers preferentially buy the bio-based grade. Minimum order 25 kg, lead time 7-14 days. Every batch ships with a certificate of analysis, a safety data sheet and an IFRA conformity statement.
About Citral
A lemon-sharp aldehyde supplied as the neral/geranial mixture: green, juicy and slightly bitter. It is the workhorse lemon material for anyone who needs lemon that stays clean rather than fruity.
Why it is on our list. Large tonnage in personal care and home fragrance. Biotransformation is industrialised in China, and European customers preferentially buy the bio-based grade.
Specification
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 5392-40-5 |
| Chinese name | 柠檬醛 |
| Material type | Biosynthetic aroma molecule (fermentation / biocatalysis) |
| Production route | Biological synthesis - not extracted from a botanical |
| Olfactory family | Lemon / citronella |
| Chinese olfactory family | 柠檬/香茅 |
| Perfume note position | Top-middle note |
| Purity | >= 95.0% (total citral) |
| Physical form | Clear pale yellow to yellow liquid |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol and oils; slightly soluble in water |
| Applications | Personal care, Home fragrance, Food flavour |
| IFRA status | Category limits apply; Annex III allergen |
| EU 1223/2009 allergen status | Annex III allergen - label declaration required above 0.001% leave-on / 0.01% rinse-off |
| REACH | Registration dossier available on request |
| Food application | Approved food flavouring substance; the reference material for lemon flavour. |
| Shelf life | 24-36 months unopened, 12 months after opening |
| Storage | Store upright in the original sealed container, away from light, heat and air. Recommended 15-25 C. |
| Minimum order quantity | 25 kg |
| Lead time | 7-14 days |
Typical applications
- ✓Personal care
- ✓Home fragrance
- ✓Food flavour
Regulatory & compliance
IFRA
Declared as a fragrance allergen under Annex III of EU Regulation 1223/2009. If your finished product contains this material above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off product, the substance name has to appear on the label. IFRA category limits also apply and are stated on the lot-specific conformity statement.
EU 1223/2009 Annex III
This material is a named fragrance allergen in Annex III of EU Regulation 1223/2009. Declaration on the label is required above 0.001%% in leave-on products and 0.01%% in rinse-off products.
REACH and export documents
REACH registration dossier available on request for EU shipments, together with the safety data sheet and the batch certificate of analysis.
Food application
Approved food flavouring substance; the reference material for lemon flavour.
Batch-specific values such as assay, density, refractive index, optical rotation and the full GC/MS chromatogram are issued with the certificate of analysis for the lot you receive. The values on this page are the standard profile for this material. The CAS number shown is the common main-component CAS; commercial material can be an isomer mixture, so the supplier COA is the reference.
Pricing
On request
Minimum order 25 kg · lead time 7-14 days · quote in 3-5 business days
Questions about this material
What is the minimum order quantity for Citral?
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25 kg. Smaller volumes are available as samples, typically 5-10 ml, so you can evaluate the material in your own formula before ordering a full drum.
Is Citral an essential oil?
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No. Citral is a biosynthetic aroma molecule produced by biological synthesis, and we describe it as a biosynthetic aroma raw material rather than a natural essential oil. The distinction matters for your labelling and for your customers: natural and biosynthetic materials are not interchangeable claims, even when the odour profile is.
What documentation comes with the order?
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The batch certificate of analysis, the safety data sheet, the IFRA conformity statement naming the standard and category that applies to your product, the REACH dossier where relevant, and lot traceability back to the production batch.
How long does it take to deliver?
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Lead time is currently 7-14 days for standard orders. We confirm the delivery date in the quotation, and we flag any capacity constraint before you place the order rather than after.
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