Database/Perfuming/Gamma-Decalactone
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Gamma-Decalactone natural?

It depends. Natural route traces every carbon to castor-oil ricinoleic acid via yeast fermentation (the classic natural-flavour biotech example); synthetic route traces to petrochemical feedstocks.

INCI nameGamma-Decalactone
CAS706-14-9
FormulaC10H18O2 · 170.25 Da
FunctionPerfuming
FeedstockThe best-known example of biotech aroma chemistry: Yarrowia…

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 synthesisoxo-process hexyl aldehyde + acrylate-type unit, lactonised0.00~55%
Fermentationricinoleic acid (castor oil) beta-oxidised by Yarrowia lipolytica yeast, lactonised1.00~45%
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

Natural route: Yarrowia fermentation of castor-oil ricinoleic acid, trimmed and lactonised, retains every carbon, 1.0. Synthetic route: petrochemical oxo-aldehyde + acrylate-type unit, lactonised, 0.0. Synthetic assumed larger by volume overall.
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

The best-known example of biotech aroma chemistry: Yarrowia lipolytica yeast ferments castor-oil-derived ricinoleic acid and shortens it to the C10 lactone, retaining every carbon from castor oil. A cheaper petrochemical synthesis (oxo-aldehyde plus acrylate, lactonised) is assumed to cover the larger share of total volume.

In plain English

A peach/creamy-scented fragrance ingredient. It can be produced naturally by fermenting castor-oil-derived fatty acid with yeast, or made synthetically from petrochemical building blocks; both routes are used commercially.

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Structure

2D structure of Gamma-Decalactone

5-hexyloxolan-2-one

PubChem CID 12813 ↗

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. 2Gamma-Decalactone. PubChem CID 12813. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3GAMMA-DECALACTONE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4GAMMA-DECALACTONE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=GAMMA-DECALACTONE