topic 1: natural perfumery raw materials (animal origin)

Question 1

type of raw materials

Answer 1

musk oil
castoreum
civet
ambergris

Question 2

properties of musk oil

Answer 2

• secretion of abdominal glands of the male musk deer
• found in the pouch between the hind legs of the male animal
• used in 90% of all fine fragrance

Question 3

odour description of musk oil

Answer 3

intense, oily, clinging, feacal

Question 4

properties of castoreum

Answer 4

• obtained from the oil glands found between the hind legs of both male and female beaver
• pear-shaped or egg shaped sacs as a creamy oily substance which is used by the beaver to protect their coats
• used in vanilla flavour components

Question 5

odour description of castroreum

Answer 5

warm, animal and leather-like odour and slightly sweet undertones

Question 6

properties of civet ( civet cat)

Answer 6

• from anal glands of both male and female cats

- unbearable at high concentration but smells pleasant at low concentration

Question 7

odour description of civet

Answer 7

powerful, somewhat faecal, animalistic odour

Question 8

properties of ambergris

Answer 8

• wax like material formed within the intestinal tract of the sperm whale
• found in seashore/ floating in the sea and whales stomach/ intestine after its caught
• used in fruit flavours, tabacco and liqueur to improve the quality of flavours

Question 9

odour description of ambergris

Answer 9

smells like seaweed, algae. mossy woody and slightly sweet undertone.