Myrrh Resinoide DEP

Myrrhe Resinoide DEP - Technical Ingredient Overview

• 🏭 Manufacturer — IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances)

• 🔎 Chemical Name — Myrrh resinoid; Commiphora myrrha resin extract

• 🧪 Synonyms — Myrrh resinoid, Myrrh absolute, Myrrh extract, Hypersoluble myrrh

• 📂 CAS Number — 8016-37-3

• 📂 Alternative CAS — 84929-26-0 (EINECS 284-510-0)

• 📘 FEMA Number — 2766 (applicable to myrrh oil; resinoid used primarily in fragrance)

• ⚖️ Molecular Weight — Variable complex mixture (not applicable for natural complex substance)

• 📝 Odor Type — Balsamic, resinous, spicy

• 📈 Odor Strength — Medium to strong

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile — Sweet and warm balsamic note with an amber character, liquorice facets, and resinous undertones. Intensely warm, deep-spicy, balsamic-aromatic with slightly medicinal top notes and rich sweetness

• ⚗️ Uses — Fixative and balsamic modifier in oriental, woody, chypre, and spicy fragrance bases; modifier in heavy-floral compositions; ingredient in oral hygiene products

• 🧴 Appearance — Dark reddish-orange to brown, viscous resinoid; hardly pourable at room temperature; soft and sticky semi-solid mass

What is Myrrhe Resinoide?

Myrrhe Resinoide DEP 139440 is a premium natural resinoid manufactured by IFF through an advanced extraction process combining ethyl alcohol extraction followed by molecular distillation. This resinoid—not to be confused with steam-distilled myrrh essential oil—is a concentrated extract containing both volatile aromatic components and non-volatile resinous matter from the oleo-gum-resin.

The resinoid is derived from the hardened resinous tears of Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl., a small thorny tree belonging to the Burseraceae family. These trees grow in arid regions of Eastern Africa, particularly Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula including Yemen and Oman.

Key Distinction from Essential Oil:

Myrrh resinoid differs fundamentally from myrrh essential oil:

• Resinoid: Produced by solvent extraction (ethyl alcohol), contains 7-10% essential oil plus non-volatile resins, waxes, and aromatic compounds; viscous to semi-solid consistency

• Essential Oil: Produced by steam distillation, contains only volatile components; liquid consistency; pale yellow to amber color

IFF's molecular distillation process further refines the alcohol-extracted resinoid by removing unwanted colorants and impurities while concentrating desirable aromatic molecules, resulting in a superior product with lighter color and cleaner olfactory profile compared to conventional resinoids.

• Production Method: Extraction with ethyl alcohol followed by molecular distillation. Yield: 1 kg resinoid from approximately 10 kg crude myrrh gum-resin.

• Key Components: β-elemene, curzerene, lindestrene (furanosesquiterpenoids characteristic of authentic myrrh).

Historical Background

Myrrh stands as one of humanity's oldest recorded perfume materials, with documented use extending back approximately 3,700 years. The word "myrrh" derives from the Semitic root m-r-r meaning "bitter," reflected in Arabic murr (مُرّ) and Aramaic mureera (ܡܪܝܪܐ).

Ancient Egyptian Era (c. 2450 BCE onwards)

The earliest attested expedition to procure myrrh was recorded during Egypt's Fifth Dynasty under King Sahure, who sent expeditions to the Land of Punt (modern-day Horn of Africa) around 2450 BCE. A relief from Sahure's mortuary temple uniquely depicts the king tending a myrrh tree in his palace garden—the only Egyptian art showing a king engaged in gardening.

Ancient Egyptians used myrrh extensively as a key ingredient in the sacred incense kyphi, in embalming processes alongside natron, in cosmetic preparations, and in medicinal formulations. Egyptian women particularly valued myrrh in facial preparations for its cooling effect.

Biblical and Classical Period

Myrrh was presented by the Three Wise Men (Magi) to the infant Jesus, alongside gold and frankincense. Greek and Roman perfumers adopted myrrh extensively, with Greek soldiers reportedly refusing to go into battle without it. Pedanius Dioscorides documented myrrh's medicinal properties in first-century CE texts.

Development in Modern Perfumery

While myrrh has been used continuously for millennia, systematic extraction of myrrh resinoid as a perfumery material developed significantly during the 19th and 20th centuries. Early methods employed benzene or petroleum ether, producing dark, viscous resinoids. The introduction of ethyl alcohol extraction, particularly cold-extraction techniques, yielded lighter-colored products with superior odor characteristics.

The development of molecular distillation technology in the mid-20th century enabled further refinement. IFF's DEP 139440 represents this modern evolution, employing molecular distillation following alcohol extraction to achieve optimal purity and performance—resulting in a resinoid with significantly reduced color and enhanced clarity compared to crude extracts.

Olfactory Profile

Scent Family: Balsamic-Resinous, Oriental

Main Descriptors:

• Top Notes: Sharp balsamic, slightly medicinal, liquorice facets with characteristic "lift"

• Heart Notes: Warm-spicy, aromatic, deep balsamic with amber character

• Base Notes: Rich sweetness, resinous undertones, woody-aromatic dryout

The olfactory profile exhibits exceptional complexity. Initial impression presents sweet, warm balsamic character with pronounced liquorice facets—a hallmark of high-quality myrrh resinoid. The sharp, slightly medicinal top note provides uplift while remaining free from harsh terebinthinate notes. As the scent develops, intensely warm, deep-spicy characteristics emerge with rich amber resonance. The overall impression evokes historic depth and meditative warmth.

• Intensity: Medium to strong odor strength with moderate tenacity.

• Tenacity: Medium. Non-volatile resinous components provide good substantivity, though less pronounced than benzoin or labdanum resinoid. Molecular distillation concentrates aromatic molecules while reducing odorless ballast, potentially enhancing effective tenacity.

• Volatility: Base note character with middle note facets. Sesquiterpenoid compounds (β-elemene, curzerene, lindestrene) contribute aromatic lift in heart stages, while resinous components anchor in base notes.

• Fixative Role: Functions as both aromatic fixative and sweetener-modifier. Extends longevity of volatile materials while enriching overall fragrance character. Concentrations of 4-6% or higher may be required for significant physical fixation effects.

Applications in Fine Fragrance

Myrrh resinoid serves as fixative, modifier, and featured note in multiple fragrance categories:

Primary Categories:

• Oriental Fragrances: Core ingredient providing authentic depth and historical resonance

• Chypre Compositions: Adds warmth and resinous complexity to oakmoss-labdanum-patchouli accord

• Woody-Balsamic Bases: Essential modifier in sandalwood, cedarwood, and vetiver compositions

• Forest and Moss Notes: Excellent in naturalistic compositions with cypress, juniper, pine, and labdanum

• Heavy Florals: Provides substantive support in jasmine, mimosa, cassie, and tuberose bases

Recommended Pairings: Spice oils (cinnamon, clove, cardamom), florals (geranium, rose, jasmine), musks (nitromusks, polycyclics), aromatics (linalool, patchouli, sage clary), balsamic notes (cinnamic alcohol, benzyl benzoate, Peru balsam), citrus modifiers (bergamot, mandarin petitgrain).

Usage Levels: 0.5-5% in fine fragrance concentrate; 1-6% in soap perfumes; 0.1-2% in cosmetics.

Formulation Note: Dark reddish-brown color may cause discoloration. IFF's molecular distillation significantly reduces colorants compared to conventional resinoids, making DEP 139440 more suitable for lighter-colored applications.

Performance in Formula

• Solubility: Fully soluble in ethyl alcohol (90%+), dipropylene glycol, benzyl benzoate, and common perfumery solvents. Soluble in fixed oils with gentle warming. Insoluble in water. May cause slight turbidity in 80-85% alcohol solutions.

• Blending: Molecular distillation removes high-molecular-weight waxes, yielding improved miscibility. Integrates smoothly without separation. Functions as excellent sweetener-modifier, bridging disparate olfactory elements.

• Stability: Excellent stability in finished products. Natural antioxidant properties contribute to formula stability. Shelf life 24+ months when stored properly (cool, dark, tightly closed containers).

Industrial & Technical Uses

• Oral Hygiene Products: Traditional ingredient in toothpastes, mouthwashes, dental preparations, and throat sprays. Blends with clove oil, thyme oil, peppermint, spearmint, and methyl salicylate. Usage: 0.5-2%.

• Flavor Applications: Limited use as FEMA GRAS-approved ingredient (FEMA 2766) in specialty herbal liqueurs and traditional medicinal formulations. Bitter-aromatic taste restricts broad application.

• Production Scale: Global myrrh resinoid production occurs on artisanal scale (steam-distilled oil production <1 metric ton annually; resinoid production moderately higher). IFF ensures reliable supply through established African sourcing relationships.

Regulatory & Safety Overview

• IFRA Status: NOT RESTRICTED under IFRA Amendment 51 (notified June 30, 2023). Myrrh oil and resinoid (CAS 8016-37-3) do not appear in the index of prohibited, restricted, or specified materials. May be used freely in fragrance applications without category-specific limitations.

• Reference: IFRA Standards Index, 51st Amendment - https://ifrafragrance.org/standards-library

• EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009: NOT among the 26 allergens requiring labeling. May be used in cosmetic formulations subject to general safety assessment without allergen declaration obligations.

• FEMA Status: GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) under FEMA Number 2766 for intended use as flavoring substance.

• Sustainability: Naturally derived, renewable, ultimately biodegradable. Sourcing from politically sensitive regions (Somalia, Yemen, Ethiopia) raises ethical considerations. Responsible sourcing practices important. Supports livelihoods for local communities; wild harvesting may stress populations if demand increases without proper management.

References

• Arctander, S. (1960). Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin. Self-published. Reprinted by Allured Publishing Corporation.

• Hanuš, L. O., Řezanka, T., Dembitsky, V. M., & Moussaieff, A. (2005). Myrrh—Commiphora chemistry. Biomedical Papers, 149(1), 3-28. https://doi.org/10.5507/bp.2005.001

• International Fragrance Association (IFRA). (2023). Index of IFRA Standards – 51st Amendment. Retrieved from https://ifrafragrance.org/standards-library

• Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). (2023). FEMA GRAS Assessment - FEMA Number 2766. Retrieved from https://www.femaflavor.org/flavor-library

• Surburg, H., & Panten, J. (2016). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials: Preparation, Properties and Uses (6th ed.). Wiley-VCH.

• U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024). ChemIDplus Advanced - Myrrh oil (CAS 8016-37-3). Retrieved from https://chem.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus

• Zhang, Y., Alsayari, A., Albukhari, S. M., & Baeshen, R. (2022). Commiphora myrrh: A phytochemical and pharmacological update. Journal of King Saud University - Science, 34(8), 102306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2022.102306