Database/Perfuming/Geranyl Isovalerate
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Geranyl Isovalerate natural?

It depends. Geraniol and isovaleric acid both have natural sources, so the best route is fully natural.

INCI nameGeranyl Isovalerate
CAS109-20-6
FormulaC15H26O2 · 238.37 Da
FunctionPerfuming
FeedstockGeraniol (natural or synthetic) esterified with isovaleric acid…

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
natural geranyl and natural isovaleric acidgeranyl of natural origin + isovaleric acid from fermentation or natural isolates1.00Every carbon natural.
natural geranylgeranyl of natural origin + isovaleric acid from petrochemical synthesis0.64Geranyl fragment C10H17O 153.2/238.4 = 0.64.
syntheticgeranyl and isovaleric acid both from petrochemical synthesis0.00No natural carbon.
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

Geranyl Isovalerate C15H26O2 238.4 Da: the geranyl fragment C10H17O 153.2 Da is natural only from a natural source; the isovaleric acid fragment 85.1 Da is natural only when the acid comes from fermentation or a natural isolate. Routes: natural geranyl and natural isovaleric acid 1.00, natural geranyl 0.64, synthetic 0.00. Headline shows the best route.
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

Geraniol (natural or synthetic) esterified with isovaleric acid (fermentation or synthetic).

In plain English

A fragrance ingredient with a fruity, apple-like scent, made from a terpene alcohol that can come from plant oils or be lab-made.

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Structure

2D structure of Geranyl Isovalerate

[(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl] 3-methylbutanoate

PubChem CID 5362830 ↗

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. 2Geranyl Isovalerate. PubChem CID 5362830. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3GERANYL ISOVALERATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4GERANYL ISOVALERATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=GERANYL%20ISOVALERATE