Angelica root absolute (CAS 8015-64-3) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Angelica root absolute
CAS 8015-64-3
What Is Angelica root absolute?
Angelica root absolute is a rich, earthy fragrance material extracted from the roots of Angelica archangelica plants. You’ll encounter its distinctive aroma in niche perfumes, herbal remedies, and some gin formulations. This ingredient matters because it adds unparalleled depth to fragrances – a bridge between green herbal notes and warm amber tones that perfumers treasure for its complexity.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Angelica root absolute Smell Like?
Angelica root absolute unfolds like a damp forest floor after rain – initially sharp with green herbal tones that quickly soften into earthy, musky depths. The top note carries a medicinal bitterness reminiscent of wormwood, which mellows into a warm, rooty sweetness akin to dried valerian with hints of celery seed. As it dries down, it reveals a sophisticated leathery character with balsamic undertones, lasting for hours with an almost narcotic persistence. This transformation makes it invaluable for adding naturalistic complexity to woody and amber accords.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Andy Tauer uses angelica root to amplify the dry, sun-baked quality of this desert-inspired scent, where it blends seamlessly with amber and spices to create an illusion of heat radiating from parched earth.
This classic citrus-aromatic features angelica root as the grounding element that prevents the bright top notes from becoming too sharp, adding a sophisticated herbal depth to the composition.
Angelica root absolute provides the crucial link between the smoky birch tar and dry woods in this fragrance, contributing an earthy realism that makes the scent feel like charred timber in an autumn forest.
Guerlain’s perfumers showcase angelica’s duality here – pairing its green facets with vanilla to create a haunting contrast between fresh and sweet that defines this modern classic.
The angelica root in this intense vetiver fragrance adds damp earth nuances that enhance the ink-like quality of the composition, making the scent feel like wet paper drying in a wooden drawer.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Angelica root absolute contains a complex mixture of terpenoids and phthalides including α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, and the characteristic angelic lactones. These bicyclic compounds contribute to its distinctive earthy-green character. The absolute is obtained through solvent extraction of the dried roots, yielding a viscous liquid richer in heavier molecules than steam-distilled essential oil. Key odorants include 15-hydroxy-pentadecanoic acid lactone which provides the musky-animalic undertones. The phototoxic properties stem from furanocoumarins like bergapten present in the extract.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Viscous brown liquid |
|---|---|
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligustilide | 4431-01-0 | 190.24 | 150-152 °C (0.1 mmHg) | 3.2 | 0.001 mmHg |
| α-Pinene | 80-56-8 | 136.23 | 155-156 °C | 3.1 | 4.5 mmHg |
| Bergapten | 484-20-8 | 216.19 | 290 °C | 2.4 | 0.00001 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Provides earthy depth without overpowering |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Used sparingly due to phototoxicity |
| Natural Perfumery | 1-3% | Up to 7% | Key material for natural bases |
Classic Accords
Tip: Balance angelica root’s earthiness with small amounts of citrus top notes to prevent compositions from becoming too heavy.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers similar balsamic-earthy qualities without phototoxic concerns, though lacks angelica’s distinctive green facets.
Provides comparable rooty-musky depth with more animalic character, suitable for leather accords.
Captures angelica’s green-celery aspects but lacks the deep earthy base notes.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Restricted under IFRA Standard 48th Amendment – maximum 0.78% in leave-on products due to furanocoumarin content (Category 5).
EU Allergen Declaration
None required
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment complete – use restricted in cosmetics due to phototoxicity and sensitization potential.
Sustainability
Angelica root is cultivated sustainably in Europe, primarily France and Germany, with wild harvesting prohibited in many regions. The absolute yield is relatively low (0.2-0.5% of dry root weight), making it expensive but not environmentally taxing. Synthetic alternatives exist but cannot replicate the full complexity of natural extract.
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References
- Weyerstahl et al. (1993). Constituents of the essential oil and the absolute of Angelica archangelica L. ssp. archangelica. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. DOI:10.1002/ffj.2730080104
- IFRA Standards Library. 48th Amendment. IFRA Standards
- PubChem Compound Summary for Ligustilide CID 3085026
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 8015-64-3Odor & Flavor
| The essential root oil is obtained by steam distillation of the roots. The paleyellow to deep-amber liquid has a warm, pungent odor with musky or earthy notes and has a bittersweet flavor. The yield from the roots is fairly low even though they may be steam distilled for up to 24 hours; these factors, coupled with the qualitative differences in old vs. young roots and the labor-intensive process in digging and cleaning the roots, make the root oil fairly expensive.📖 Fenaroli |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| IOFI Classification | Natural📖 Fenaroli |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
