Fir balsam absolute

Chemotypes :

The genus Abies Mill. includes approximately 110 species of fir trees. Among those used in perfumery, we can mention:

Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.: Fir balsam absolute / Fir needle oil
Abies sibirica Ledeb.: Fir needle oil (Siberia)
Abies alba Mill.: Abies alba oil / Abies alba absolute
Abies sachalinensis (F.Schmidt) Mast.: Abies sachalinensis oil

The Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana (Steven) Spach), from the Caucasus, is commonly used as a Christmas tree.
The Dense fir (Abies spectabilis (D.Don) Mirb.) from the Himalayas
The Manchurian and Korean fir (Abies nephrolepis (Trautv. ex Maxim.) Maxim.)
The Giant fir of Vancouver, Canada (Abies grandis (Douglas ex D.Don) Lindl.)

Extraction process :

The balsam fir can grow up to 20 meters in height and its trunk diameter is about 60 centimetres. This tree lives up to 150 years. The fragrant principle of the tree is contained in the twigs with its needles arranged one by one with a cone shape.
In autumn, the balsam fir twigs are cut by hand and taken to the factory where they are weighed and extracted fresh with hexane. For the extraction, twigs are placed on grids inside of a tank and hexane is added next. To obtain the concrete, the branches are removed from the tank and the solvent is evaporated for recycling. This concrete is diluted in alcohol to precipitate the waxes by glazing (temperature gradient from 140 °F to 32 °F). The absolute is obtained after the filtration and evaporation of the alcohol.
Sometimes, the Fir Basalm absolute can be distilled to be bleached, without a great olfactory impact.

Uses in perfumery :

Used in perfumes for men, in chypre, oriental and fougere perfumes, for a contribution of warmth, roundness and hold.

Stability :

Solubility issues in perfumes
The terpenes identified in this raw material can polymerize when they are oxidized

Other comments :

Fir balsam is equivalent to a balsam fir absolute.
The balm of this tree can be used for optics or pharmacy, under the name "Balsam Canada".
The difference between a fir and a pine lies in the arrangement of their spines. The spines on the fir tree are attached one by one to the twigs, while spines on the pine are grouped.

Fir balsam is equivalent to a balsam fir absolute.
The balm of this tree can be used for optics or pharmacy, under the name "Balsam Canada".
The difference between a fir and a pine lies in the arrangement of their spines. The spines on the fir tree are attached one by one to the twigs, while spines on the pine are grouped.

Allergens :

D-Limonene

Signal word :

Danger

Hazard pictograms :

Precautionary statements :

IFRA 51^th :

This ingredient is restricted by the 51th amendment

Annexe I :

Some regulated synthetic ingredients are found in nature and in certain proportions in natural ingredients. This presence in nature has to be taken into account when calculating limits of use recommended by the IFRA. In case you do not know these concentrations, you can use the ones estimated by the IFRA. Here they are :

Disclaimer :

ScenTree is solely responsible for the information provided here.

To learn more about IFRA's standards : https://ifrafragrance.org/safe-use/library