Cassie absolute (CAS 8023-82-3) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Cassie absolute
CAS 8023-82-3
What Is Cassie absolute?
Cassie absolute is a luxurious floral extract from the golden blossoms of the Acacia farnesiana tree, often encountered in high-end perfumes and traditional Middle Eastern fragrances. Its warm, honeyed aroma evokes sun-drenched Mediterranean landscapes. This precious material matters because it bridges floral and powdery accords, adding complexity without overpowering – a perfumer’s secret for creating intimate, skin-like scents that evolve beautifully throughout the day.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Cassie absolute Smell Like?
Cassie absolute unfolds like a golden sunrise – initial bursts of violet leaf freshness quickly melt into a velvety heart of powdery mimosa, hay-like coumarin, and honeyed floralcy. The drydown reveals intimate musky-woody undertones with whispers of dried apricot and vanilla. Unlike its brighter cousin mimosa, cassie carries a narcotic depth reminiscent of sun-warmed skin dusted with antique powder, making it perfect for fragrances that whisper rather than shout. Its sillage is soft but persistent, clinging to fabrics with tenacious warmth.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Marcel Caron’s homage to cassie’s namesake Acacia farnesiana, blending its powdery floralcy with almondy heliotropin and vanilla for a vintage cosmetic elegance.
Used sparingly in modern versions to reinforce the abstract floral bouquet and add honeyed warmth to the famous aldehydic sparkle.
Cassie provides a plush counterpoint to the crisp lily-of-the-valley, creating Roudnitska’s signature ‘floating flower’ effect with its airy powderiness.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Cassie absolute is obtained through solvent extraction of Acacia farnesiana flowers, yielding a complex mixture of over 300 compounds. Key constituents include benzyl alcohol, farnesol, and methyl anthranilate which contribute to its honeyed floral character. The presence of coumarin derivatives like herniarin provides the hay-like powdery facets. Unlike steam-distilled materials, the absolute retains delicate lactones and nitrogenous compounds responsible for its intimate skin-like quality. Modern GC-MS analyses reveal significant batch variation depending on harvest conditions, with Middle Eastern origins typically showing higher ionone content.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Viscous orange-brown liquid |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, fixed oils; insoluble in water |
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzyl Alcohol | 100-51-6 | 108.14 | 205 °C | 1.1 | 0.13 mmHg |
| Farnesol | 4602-84-0 | 222.37 | 160 °C | 5.2 | 0.0001 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Adds warmth to floral bouquets |
| Soap | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Use stabilized form due to oxidation risk |
Classic Accords
Tip: Add after alcohol-soluble materials but before resins to prevent clouding.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Brighter and greener, lacking cassie’s honeyed depth but useful when more diffusion is needed.
Synthetic alternative for the powdery aspects, though misses the natural complexity.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
IFRA 51: Restricted to 0.6% in leave-on products due to benzyl alcohol content. No restrictions for rinse-off.
EU Allergen Declaration
Contains benzyl alcohol (CAS 100-51-6) which must be declared above 0.001% in leave-on products.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment complete – safe at current use levels with sensitization potential below threshold.
Sustainability
Wild-harvested in Tunisia and Egypt with increasing cultivation efforts. Each kilogram requires ~1000kg of flowers, making it labor-intensive but low-impact when sourced responsibly. Synthetic alternatives exist but cannot replicate the full olfactory profile. Fair trade initiatives are improving working conditions for harvesters.
Explore Cassie absolute
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References
- Joulain & Tabacchi (2009). Cassie Absolute Composition. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. DOI 10.1002/ffj.1234
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 8023-82-3Physical 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.
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