FlavScents AInsights Entry: Verbena Oil France (CAS: 12/2/24)
1. Identity & Chemical Information
- Common Name(s): Verbena Oil France
- CAS Number: 12/2/24
- FEMA Number: Not available
- Other Identifiers: Not available
- Material Type: Natural complex material (essential oil)
- Source: Derived from the leaves and flowering tops of the Verbena plant, primarily cultivated in France.
Verbena oil is a natural complex material, primarily composed of a mixture of terpenes and other aromatic compounds. It is important to note that the composition of verbena oil can vary significantly depending on factors such as the geographical origin, harvest time, and processing methods. This variability must be considered when formulating products to ensure consistency and quality.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; PubChem; FEMA
2. Sensory Profile
Verbena oil is renowned for its fresh, lemony, and slightly sweet aroma, often described as invigorating and uplifting. The oil's scent is characterized by its high intensity and excellent diffusion, making it a popular choice for both flavor and fragrance applications. It is typically used as an impact note or a modifier to enhance the freshness and brightness of a composition.
The taste and odor thresholds for verbena oil are not clearly reported in the literature. However, its strong aromatic profile suggests that it is effective even at low concentrations.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; peer-reviewed sensory literature
3. Natural Occurrence & Formation
Verbena oil is naturally sourced from the Verbena plant, specifically from its leaves and flowering tops. The oil is extracted through steam distillation, a process that captures the volatile aromatic compounds responsible for its distinctive scent.
As a natural product, verbena oil qualifies for "natural flavor" or "natural fragrance" designations, which are important for product labeling and consumer perception. The oil's composition is influenced by environmental factors, including soil quality, climate, and cultivation practices.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; food chemistry literature; EFSA/JECFA monographs
4. Use in Flavors
Verbena oil is used in a variety of flavor applications, particularly in beverages, confectionery, and culinary products where a fresh, citrusy note is desired. It serves as a functional ingredient to enhance the overall flavor profile, providing a bright and refreshing character.
Typical use levels in finished food or beverage products range from 0.1 to 5 ppm, depending on the desired intensity and the specific application. These values are industry-typical estimates, as precise documentation is limited.
Stability considerations include sensitivity to heat and oxidation, which can affect the oil's aromatic profile. Formulators should consider these factors when incorporating verbena oil into products.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; FEMA GRAS documentation; formulation literature
5. Use in Fragrances
In the fragrance industry, verbena oil is valued for its fresh, lemony scent, making it a popular choice in citrus and floral fragrance families. It is commonly used in personal care products, household cleaners, and air fresheners.
Verbena oil typically functions as a top note, providing an initial burst of freshness that enhances the overall fragrance composition. Concentration ranges in formulations vary, but it is often used at levels of 0.1% to 1% depending on the product type and desired effect.
The oil's volatility contributes to its role as a top note, and formulators should account for its rapid evaporation when designing fragrance profiles.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; IFRA; fragrance chemistry texts
5a. Key Constituents (Typical)
- Citral: Major component contributing to the lemony scent.
- Limonene: Adds a citrusy aroma.
- Geraniol: Provides floral notes.
- Neral: Complements the citrus profile.
The composition of verbena oil can vary significantly based on factors such as origin, harvest time, and processing methods. This variability should be considered during formulation to ensure product consistency.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; peer-reviewed literature; authoritative industry references
6. Regulatory Status (Regional Overview)
- United States: Verbena oil is not explicitly listed under FEMA GRAS. Its use in flavors and fragrances is subject to general safety and labeling regulations.
- European Union: Regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008. Verbena oil is permitted for use in food and fragrance products, subject to safety assessments.
- United Kingdom: Post-Brexit regulations align closely with EU standards, with minor divergences in specific cases.
- Asia: Regulatory status varies by country. In Japan and China, verbena oil is used in flavors and fragrances, subject to local safety evaluations.
- Latin America: Countries like Brazil and members of MERCOSUR have specific regulations for natural flavor and fragrance materials, generally allowing verbena oil use with safety considerations.
Citation hooks: FEMA; EFSA; national authority publications
7. Toxicology, Safety & Exposure Considerations
- Oral Exposure: Data not found for specific ADI or MSDI values. Verbena oil is generally recognized as safe when used in typical flavor concentrations.
- Dermal Exposure: Verbena oil may cause skin irritation or sensitization in sensitive individuals. IFRA provides guidelines for safe use in fragrance applications.
- Inhalation Exposure: As a volatile compound, verbena oil poses minimal inhalation risk at typical fragrance concentrations. Occupational exposure should be managed with appropriate ventilation.
Risk profiles may differ between food and fragrance applications due to varying exposure routes and concentrations.
Citation hooks: EFSA; FEMA; PubChem; toxicology literature
8. Practical Insights for Formulators
Verbena oil is valued for its ability to impart a fresh, citrusy character to both flavors and fragrances. It synergizes well with other citrus and floral notes, enhancing the overall brightness and appeal of a composition.
Common formulation pitfalls include overuse, which can lead to an overpowering scent or flavor, and underuse, which may result in a lack of impact. Formulators should carefully balance verbena oil with other ingredients to achieve the desired effect.
Citation hooks: FlavScents; industry practice
9. Confidence & Data Quality Notes
The data on verbena oil is well-established in terms of its sensory profile and typical applications. However, specific regulatory and toxicological data may be limited or vary by region. Industry practices often rely on historical use and expert judgment in the absence of comprehensive documentation.
Citation hooks: FlavScents
QA Check
- All required sections 1–9 are present
- "Citation hooks:" line is present under each section
- Flavor section includes ppm ranges
- Toxicology section covers oral, dermal, inhalation
- Regulatory section mentions US, EU, UK, Asia, Latin America
- Includes section 5a for complex natural material
About FlavScents AInsights (Disclosure)
FlavScents AInsights integrates information from authoritative government, scientific, academic, and industry sources to provide applied, exposure-aware insight into flavor and fragrance materials. Data are drawn from regulatory bodies, expert safety panels, peer-reviewed literature, public chemical databases, and long-standing professional practice within the flavor and fragrance community. Where explicit published values exist, they are reported directly; where gaps remain, AInsights reflects widely accepted industry-typical practice derived from convergent sensory behavior, historical commercial use, regulatory non-objection, and expert consensus. All such information is clearly labeled to distinguish documented data from professional guidance or informed estimation, with the goal of offering transparent, practical, and scientifically responsible context for researchers, formulators, and regulatory specialists. This section is generated using advanced computational language modeling to synthesize and structure information from established scientific and regulatory knowledge bases, with the intent of supporting—not replacing—expert review and judgment.
Generated 2026-01-27 10:15:41 GMT (p2)