Multidimensional Visualization of Physical and Perceptual Data Leading to a Creative Approach in Fragrance Development

By: Christine Vuilleumier, Matthijs van de Waal, Henri Fontannaz, Isabelle Cayeux and Pierre-André Rebetez, Firmenich SA

Posted: September 12, 2008, from the September 2008 issue of P&F magazine.

In addition, various applications have very different technical constraints. Whereas an eau de toilette is applied directly onto the skin, other fragrances are deposited onto a substrate after physical partitioning (e.g., in laundry detergents during the rinsing and drying phases). Thus, tools that take into account these constraints and help the perfumer create successful fragrances are in high demand.

It makes sense to measure relevant information concerning perfumery ingredients. Physical parameters, Odor Detection Thresholds (ODTs) and supraliminal intensity measurements contribute significantly to this knowledge, as they characterize important aspects of the perfumery ingredients. It would take perfumery a step forward if these measurements were organized in order to facilitate their access to perfumers.

Physicochemical data (e.g., volatility and partition coefficients) of perfumery ingredients still remains scarce. Herein we describe the recording of psychophysical data for a large set of ingredients and the organization of these data into a database. This database can be used to construct multidimensional visualizations of the perceptual and physical properties of fragrance raw materials. The perfumer can then use this information to decide on the choice of ingredients that may offer enhanced performance in a given application. To illustrate the process, we, the authors, show here a simplified eau de cologne-type fragrance case study.

Other topics discussed: Physical Parameters of Perfumery Raw Materials; Volatility; n-Octanol/water partition coefficient; Partition phenomena of perfumery ingredients in application; Odor Detection Threshold (ODT) and Supraliminal Intensity Measurements; The relation between concentration and perceived intensity; The group Odor Detection Threshold; A simplified measurement of Dose-Response curves and group ODTs; The Multidimensional Visualization Interface: the See a Scent Concept; Conclusion

This is only an excerpt of the full article that appeared in P&F Magazine, but you can purchase the full-text version.