Macrocyclic Musk Chemistry — Aleuritic Acid for Fragrance Houses
Aleuritic acid is the main acid of shellac and a classic starting material for macrocyclic musks. Here is why fragrance chemists use it, which grade to buy and what to put on the specification.
Why fragrance chemists use aleuritic acid
Aleuritic acid (9,10,16-trihydroxypalmitic acid, CAS 533-87-9) is a 16-carbon fatty acid with hydroxyl groups at carbons 9, 10 and 16. That chain length and the terminal hydroxyl make it a convenient building block for macrocyclic musks — large-ring lactones and ketones such as ambrettolide, isoambrettolide and civetone that give fine fragrances their soft, warm, long-lasting base notes.
| Source | Shellac, the resin of the lac insect; roughly a third of shellac is aleuritic acid |
| How it is made | Alkaline hydrolysis (saponification) of shellac, then isolation and purification |
| Musk targets | Ambrettolide, isoambrettolide, civetone and related macrocycles |
| Other uses | Specialty synthesis, polyester and bio-based polymer research, pharmaceutical intermediates |
Bio-based, but not vegan
Aleuritic acid comes from a renewable natural resin, which suits fragrance houses looking for bio-based routes to musk molecules. The musk itself is still a synthesised molecule, so check the natural-origin standard your brand claims against. Because shellac comes from an insect, aleuritic acid and anything made from it are not vegan — worth flagging early if a brief carries a vegan claim.
Which grade to buy
- Refined — higher assay and paler colour. The usual choice for musk synthesis and pharmaceutical chemistry, where by-products from a lower-purity feed cost more to remove later.
- Technical — for polymer research and processes that tolerate a lower assay.
What to put on the specification
Specify the assay with its test method, melting range, acid value, hydroxyl value, loss on drying and colour, plus the packing you need. Run your own process on a sample lot before you place a bulk order, and ask for the SDS and technical data sheet with the quotation. The full identity and specification table is on our aleuritic acid supplier page (CAS 533-87-9), and aleuritic acid uses covers the chemistry in more detail.
Where the buyers are
Buyers include aroma-chemical producers in China, fragrance and specialty chemical companies in Europe — including the perfumery cluster around Grasse in France — and research laboratories working on bio-based polymers.
How we supply fragrance and chemical buyers
We supply aleuritic acid made from Indian shellac in technical and refined grades, from ₹13,000 per kg, MOQ 25 kg, in 25 kg fibre drums or HDPE-lined bags, with a batch COA, SDS and TDS. Samples of 100–500 g go by courier; bulk lots ship FOB Kolkata, CFR or CIF (HS 2918 19 — confirm the 8-digit line with your customs broker).
Quick answers
Why is aleuritic acid used in musk synthesis? Its 16-carbon chain with a terminal hydroxyl group is a convenient starting point for large-ring musk molecules such as ambrettolide, isoambrettolide and civetone.
Is a musk made from aleuritic acid a natural fragrance ingredient? Aleuritic acid is a natural-derived raw material, but the musk made from it is a synthesised molecule. Check the natural-origin standard your brand uses before making a claim.
Is aleuritic acid vegan? No. It is made from shellac, which comes from the lac insect, so it does not suit vegan fragrance claims.
This guide summarises publicly available information and industry practice as of October 2026. Run your own trials and check the rules for your market before ordering. It is not legal advice.
Sourcing Aleuritic Acid for Fragrance?
Technical and refined grades from ₹13,000 per kg, MOQ 25 kg. Batch COA, SDS and TDS with every lot.