Ambrette Seed Oil

Ambrette Seed Oil is a rare and precious aromatic oil distilled from the seeds of Abelmoschus moschatus, a relative of okra and hibiscus. It has a soft, warm, sweet and musky scent with fruity and floral nuances, and it is one of the few natural plant sources of a true musk-like aroma. For this reason, it is highly valued in fine perfumery and traditional Indian attars.

Arizone International supplies Ambrette Seed Oil for perfumers, fragrance houses, attar makers, cosmetic brands and flavour companies.

A Plant Musk

Natural musk was traditionally taken from the musk deer, a practice now banned because the animals are endangered. Perfumers therefore look to plant alternatives, and ambrette seed is the most famous of these. The plant, known in India as muskdana or latakasturi, grows in tropical regions of India and other parts of Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. It has large yellow flowers and hairy pods containing small, kidney-shaped, grey-brown seeds that smell faintly musky when crushed.

The seeds are ground and steam distilled. The crude oil often contains fatty acids and is then refined, sometimes by removing fatty acids, to produce a clearer, more fragrant grade. Ambrette is also available as an absolute or CO2 extract.

Aroma and Composition

• AmbrettolideA macrocyclic musk lactone that gives the characteristic musky, sweet note.
• Farnesyl Acetate and FarnesolContributing floral and fresh nuances.
• Fatty AcidsPresent in crude oil, reduced in refined grades.

The scent is often described as soft, warm, slightly wine-like and pear-like, with a skin-like musky base.

Applications

• Fine perfumery, as a natural musk base note and fixative
• Traditional Indian attars and oriental perfumes
• Luxury cosmetics, body oils and creams
• Natural perfumes and botanical fragrances
• Flavour applications in tiny amounts, such as some liqueurs, where permitted

Traditional Uses

In Ayurveda, latakasturi seeds were used in traditional preparations, and the seeds have been used as a spice and to scent clothes and tobacco in some cultures. Today its main value is in perfumery.

Safety and Dilution

Ambrette Seed Oil is used in very small amounts in fragrances. It should be diluted before skin use and used in line with IFRA standards and local cosmetic regulations. A patch test is recommended. Keep out of reach of children.

Quality Parameters

• Botanical identity (Abelmoschus moschatus)
• Grade: crude, refined (fatty acid-reduced) or absolute
• Aroma evaluation against reference samples
• Specific gravity, refractive index and acid value
• Gas chromatography profile, including ambrettolide
• Screening for synthetic musk adulteration

Packaging and Storage

Ambrette Seed Oil is supplied in small aluminium or amber glass bottles because of its high value. Store tightly closed in a cool, dark place. Crude grades may become solid or cloudy in cold weather because of fatty acids; gentle warming restores them.

Tips for Buyers and Formulators

Ambrette is very expensive, so perfumers often use it at a fraction of a percent to round off a musk base rather than as a main note. Crude grades can turn cloudy in cold weather because of fatty acids; warm the bottle gently and mix well before weighing out a batch.

Why Choose Arizone International?

We are an India-based supplier and exporter of essential oils and perfumery materials. We supply genuine Ambrette Seed Oil with GC reports and full export documentation.

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