Nutmeg CO2 extract
Nutmeg CO2 extract (supercritical)
Botanical name / INCI: Myristica fragrans (Seed) extract;
Typical color/smell: Dark amber/brownish, viscous; scent warm, spicy, nutty, balsamic, woody.
CAS: 84082-68-8
Applications: perfumery (oriental, gourmand, spice accords), home fragrance, technical fragrances
Recommendation dosages: start with very low percentages: 0.05-0.5% in perfume compounds; in home fragrance/ambient: 0.1-1% depending on matrix and desired tenacity.
Compatibility: blends well with amber, vanilla, musks, wood accents, and fruity/top notes
“Warm spiciness with staying power.”
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Nutmeg CO2 extract is warm, spicy and nutty with a rich, balsamic base and sharp, pungent top notes.
The supercritical CO2 technique captures both volatile terpene top notes and the heavier, fixing resinous and phenylpropanoid fractions, making the extract work full, complex and long-lasting in compositions.
Fragrance profile
- Opening: bright, fresh-spicy; dominant sharp, peppery and resinous facets due to high sabinene and pinene fractions.
- Heart: nutty, warm and slightly sweet; spicy nuances of terpine family and a soft woodiness.
- Base: balsamic, slightly smoky and long-lasting; aromatic phenylpropanoids (elemicin, myristicin) and heavier sesquiterpenes give body and fixation.
- Tonality: warm-spicy → nutty → amber/balsamic; the CO2 variant is fuller and “heavier” than the steamed oil, with better retention and depth.
- Sensory highlights: spiciness with a warm heart note; good body extension of gourmand and oriental compositions; not too floral or fruity by itself, but enhances and frames fruity and sweet notes.
Recommended starting dosages:
- Fine perfumery (EDP/Parfum): start 0.05-0.5% in the compound; adjust to intended intensity.
- House odors/ambient: 0.1-1% depending on carrier and desired tenacity.
Combination partners
- Amber: labdanum, ambroxan, cetalox – strengthens bases and gives warmth.
- Vanilla/gourmand: vanillin, ethyl vanillin – softens and makes gourmand profiles richer.
- Musks: muscone, galaxolide – provides skin-bound warmth and prolongs sillage.
- Wood notes: sandalwood, cedar, Iso E Super – emphasizes the balsamic and woody side.
- Top notes: bergamot, grapefruit, apple esters – give a fresh elevator to the opening.
Compatibility chart – Nutmeg CO2 extract
Note type Typical partners Why it works Usage tips Amber Labdanum; Ambroxan; Ambrofix; Cetalox Adds warmth and balsamic depth; enhances bass notes Use as a base enhancer; 0.05-0.3% in perfumes Vanilla Vanillin; Ethyl vanillin; Vanilla Oleoresin Soft sweetness rounds out spiciness; gives gourmand body Start low; balance with light citrus for freshness Musks Muscone; Galaxolide; Cashmeran Soft, skin-like musk warmth and hold; prolongs sillage Combine for intimate warmth Wood accents Cedarwood; Sandalwood; Iso E Super etc. Wood tones enhance the balsamic, resinous side Gradually add Fruity / Top notes Bergamot; Grapefruit; Apple esters Fresh fruitiness contrasts warm spiciness; enhances opening Use higher volatile top notes (0.5-3%) to elevator opening
Main ingredients (Nutmeg CO2 extract)
| Rank | Ingredient | Concentration-range |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sabinene | 42.0-57.0% |
| 2 | β-Pinene | 7.8-12.1% |
| 3 | α-Pinene | 1.6-12.6% |
| 4 | Terpinen-4-ol | 3.0-6.4% |
| 5 | γ-Terpinene | 1.7-4.7% |
| 6 | (β)-Limonene | 2.9-4.4% |
| 7 | α-Terpinene | 0.8-4.2% |
| 8 | β-Myrcene | 2.2-3.4% |
Nutmeg CO2 extract (supercritical) - what is it
A nutmeg CO2 extract (supercritical) is a concentrated aroma and flavor extract extract extracted from the seed kernel of Myristica fragrans using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) as a solvent. The technique produces an aromatically rich, solvent-free extract that preserves more of the heat-sensitive and lipophilic components than steam distillation.
Brief technical overview of supercritical CO2 extraction
- CO2 is brought under high pressure and controlled temperature to a supercritical state (between gas and liquid), giving it solubility for fat-soluble odorants.
- By varying pressure and temperature, you can selectively extract different fractions (lighter volatiles first, heavier resinous components later).
- After extraction, pressure is reduced, CO2 evaporates and leaves a pure, solvent-free extract fraction.
What makes this different and often desirable
- Aromatic completeness: contains more of the thermolabile and high-molecular-weight components (balsamic, resinous and fixing facets) than steam oil.
- Purity: no residue of organic solvents; CO2 evaporates completely.
- Selectivity: producers can "fractionate" to make a lighter or heavier flavor/odor profile.
- Color/consistency: usually darker, more viscous and visually denser than essential oils.
Typical composition and odor profile
- Major components: terpenes and sesquiterpenes (e.g., sabinene, limonene), phenylpropanoids and aromatic esters; heavier, resinous and warm-spicy molecules give body and fixative character.
- Scent profile: warm, spicy, nutty, slightly balsamic and woody; the CO2 version is often fuller, richer and longer-lasting than steam oil.
Applications and formulation tips
- Use in perfumes for herbal, oriental and gourmand accents, and in home-fragrance for depth and tenacity.
- Start formulations with low percentages; CO2 extracts are concentrated and potent.
- Note compatibility: mix well with volatile esters, aldehydes and fixative building blocks (musks, ambers) to balance.
Nutmeg CO₂ extract and nutmeg essential oil both originate from Myristica fragrans, but differ significantly in extraction method, composition, and olfactory profile. The CO₂ extract is fuller, more complex, and contains heavier, non-volatile components, while the essential oil is lighter and more focused on top notes.
Extraction Method
- Essential oil (EO): obtained via steam distillation. This process captures only the volatile, steam-transmissible molecules.
- CO₂ extract: obtained via supercritical CO₂ extraction. This method extracts both volatile and heavier lipophilic molecules from nutmeg, without leaving solvent residues.
Composition
- Essential oil: rich in monoterpenes such as sabinene, α‑ and β‑pinene, limonene. The profile is fresh, spicy, and slightly sharp.
- CO₂ extract: contains the above terpenes plus phenylpropanoids and aromatic ethers (elemicin, myristicin, safrole, methyl eugenol). This makes it fuller, more balsamic, and more fixative.
Olfactory Profile
- EO: bright, fresh-spicy, volatile; better suited for top and heart notes.
- CO₂: warm, nutty, balsamic, with longer longevity; ideal for base notes and fixation.
Use in Perfumery
Essential oil:
- Adds a fresh spicy touch to the opening.
- Works well in light spice and citrus compositions.
CO₂ extract:
- Adds body and depth to oriental, gourmand, and amber accords.
- Acts as a fixative and extends sillage.
- Often more potent, so lower dosage is recommended.
CO₂ extracts are typically more expensive but deliver a more true-to-nature aroma that closely resembles the actual spice. Essential oil is traditional and widely available, but lacks the heavier, character-rich molecules. CO₂ extracts are especially valued in niche perfumery and high-end aromatherapy.
Summary
Use essential oil for fresh spiciness and top notes; choose CO₂ extract for warmth, depth, and fixation. Together, they can give a perfume both a sparkling opening and a rich, long-lasting base.
Related products
Nutmeg EO
Eugenol (Natural) AC
Mace / Macis (EO)
