Database/Perfuming/Delta-Hexalactone
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Delta-Hexalactone natural?

It depends. Small lactones like this are usually synthesised from petrochemical carbonyl precursors, though the compound also occurs naturally and can be fermentation-derived.

INCI nameDelta-Hexalactone
CAS823-22-3
FormulaC6H10O2 · 114.14 Da
FunctionPerfuming
FeedstockMain fragrance-grade supply is chemical synthesis from petrochemical…

Why the score varies

This ingredient is made commercially by more than one route, and ISO 16128 scores the feedstock actually used. Without a supplier certificate of origin the value cannot be claimed.

RouteFeedstockNOIShareNotes
petrochemical synthesishydrocarbon-derived unsaturated carbonyl precursors0.00majority of fragrance-grade supply
natural extraction/bioconversiondairy fat or fruit lipids, fermentation1.00minority, natural-labelled products
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

C6H10O2 delta-lactone. Petrochemical route from hydrocarbon-derived unsaturated-carbonyl precursors = 0.0; natural extraction/bioconversion from dairy or fruit lipids = 1.0. Dominant route uncertain.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Main fragrance-grade supply is chemical synthesis from petrochemical precursors. A natural-labelled route exists via extraction or microbial bioconversion of dairy or plant lipids.

In plain English

A creamy, coconut-like fragrance ingredient. It's usually made synthetically, though a naturally derived version exists from dairy or fruit sources for natural-labelled products.

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Structure

2D structure of Delta-Hexalactone

6-methyloxan-2-one

PubChem CID 13204 ↗

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2Delta-Hexalactone. PubChem CID 13204. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3DELTA-HEXALACTONE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4DELTA-HEXALACTONE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=DELTA-HEXALACTONE