Muscenone® Delta (dsm-firmenich) | Musk Booster

Muscenone® Delta – dsm-firmenich

Muscenone® Delta (product code 962191, simply Muscenone® in the older catalogue) is a very powerful macrocyclic musk from the "House of Musk" of dsm-firmenich, discovered in the Firmenich laboratories in the 1990s. Its special feature: two faces – at low dosage it acts as a fragrance enhancer; above that, its own musky-animalic character comes to the fore.

Odor Profile

• "A very elegant nitromusk type of odor reminiscent of Musk Ketone, with a slight animalic but natural undertone" (official manufacturer description)
• Official descriptors: Musky, Powdery, Orris, Animalic
• According to the manufacturer, it conveys "a musky, powdery and cosmetic softness"
• Note position: heart and base note
• Blotter longevity: approx. 2 weeks (tenacity rating 10 on the manufacturer's scale)
• Liquid

Role in the Formula

"Muscenone® Delta is a very powerful musk with two facets. At low dosage it is a fragrance enhancer. Above that, it is used for its musk character in addition to its booster effect. It has excellent substantivity on fabric, hair and skin." (Manufacturer statement.) The dosage logic is therefore clearly two-step: first enhancer, then character note.

In the manufacturer's catalogue, Muscenone Delta sits next to Muscone (962195, CAS 541-91-3), whose odor the manufacturer describes as "delicately soft and sweet musky", reminiscent of the natural tones of Musk Tonkin: Muscone is the soft naturalist, Muscenone Delta is positioned for power and boosting – with a much lower upper dosage limit. In the shop, it is complemented by the macrocyclic musks Velvione® and Silvanone® Supra as well as the modern Helvetolide®.

Use in Perfumery

• Fine fragrance: avg. 0.76%, up to max. 2.64% (manufacturer figures) – much lower than for volume musks
• Shampoo: avg. 0.23%, up to 0.64% · Shower gel and soap: avg. 0.14%, up to 0.60% (both with high substantivity ratings)
• Laundry detergent: avg. 0.19%, up to 0.72% · Fabric softener: avg. 0.16%, up to 0.68%
• All-purpose cleaner: avg. 0.05%, up to 0.23% · Candles: avg. 0.12%, up to 0.42%

Practical Notes: Dissolving, Storing, Combining

Dissolving: Liquid and ready to use directly. Because of the low use levels, a 10% or 1% dilution in ethanol or DPG is recommended for precise dosing.

Storing: Store cool, dry, protected from light and tightly sealed.

Combining: As a booster, Muscenone Delta lifts entire compositions according to the manufacturer without stepping into the foreground itself – only above the enhancer threshold does it help shape the musk accord. Its excellent substantivity on fabric, hair and skin also makes it interesting for functional applications.

The House of Musk

dsm-firmenich has been dedicated to musk for over 90 years – since a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1939 – and is known as the "House of Musk". The house's macrocyclic musk compounds fall into two groups: those found in nature and developed in the 1930s/40s (Exaltolide, Muscone, Civettone), and those discovered in the Firmenich laboratories in the 1990s (Habanolide, Exaltenone, Muscenone). Muscenone belongs to the second group.

Safety Information

According to the manufacturer's data (dsm-firmenich), Muscenone is classified with the pictograms GHS07 and GHS09 and the signal word "Warning": H317 (may cause an allergic skin reaction), H400 (very toxic to aquatic life) and H410 (very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects). No IFRA standard exists for Muscenone. According to the manufacturer, the material is readily biodegradable.

Physico-Chemical Properties

FAQ

What is Muscenone Delta?
A macrocyclic musk from dsm-firmenich (CAS 82356-51-2), discovered in the Firmenich laboratories in the 1990s. According to the manufacturer, its odor recalls the nitromusk type Musk Ketone – elegant, powdery, orris-like, with a slightly animalic undertone.

How does Muscenone Delta differ from Muscone?
The manufacturer describes Muscone as a delicately soft, sweet musk in the style of Musk Tonkin; Muscenone Delta is positioned for power and boosting and is dosed much lower.

How do I dose Muscenone Delta?
For fine fragrance, the manufacturer gives an average of 0.76% and a maximum of 2.64%. At low dosage it acts purely as an enhancer; only above that does it help shape the musk character – best approached with a dilution.

Is there an IFRA limit?
No, there is no IFRA standard for Muscenone.

Is Muscenone Delta hazardous or biodegradable?
It is notified as a skin sensitizer (H317) and very toxic to aquatic life (H400/H410) – wear gloves and never pour residues down the drain. At the same time, according to the manufacturer it is readily biodegradable.

Hazard Statements (CLP Labeling)

Important Notice

This product is a perfumery raw material intended exclusively for fragrance development, creative experimentation, education, and the study of perfumery materials.

It is not a finished cosmetic product.

Please use responsibly.