FlavScents AInsights Entry for Amyris Wood Oil (CAS: 8015-65-4)

1. Identity & Chemical Information

• Common Name(s): Amyris wood oil, West Indian sandalwood oil
• CAS Number: 8015-65-4
• FEMA Number: 2084
• Other Identifiers: Not applicable
• Material Type: Natural complex material (essential oil)
• Source: Derived from the wood of the Amyris balsamifera tree
• Key Constituents: Typically includes elemol, valerianol, and eudesmol. Composition varies by origin, harvest, and processing.

Amyris wood oil is a natural complex material, primarily sourced from the wood of the Amyris balsamifera tree. It is often referred to as West Indian sandalwood oil, although it is not botanically related to true sandalwood. The oil is characterized by its sesquiterpene alcohols, which contribute to its unique fragrance profile.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; PubChem; FEMA

2. Sensory Profile

Amyris wood oil is known for its warm, woody, and slightly balsamic aroma. It is often described as having a soft, sweet, and tenacious scent with a hint of vanilla. The oil's diffusion is moderate, making it suitable for use as a base note in fragrance compositions. Its odor threshold is not well-documented, but it is typically used to impart a subtle, grounding effect in both flavors and fragrances.

In flavor applications, amyris wood oil can provide a background realism, enhancing the complexity of the overall profile without dominating the blend.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; peer-reviewed sensory literature

3. Natural Occurrence & Formation

Amyris wood oil is naturally sourced from the Amyris balsamifera tree, which is native to Haiti and other Caribbean regions. The oil is obtained through steam distillation of the wood. It is considered a natural fragrance and flavor material due to its direct extraction from plant material without synthetic modification.

The formation of its key constituents, such as elemol and eudesmol, occurs naturally within the tree as part of its metabolic processes.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; food chemistry literature; EFSA/JECFA monographs

4. Use in Flavors

Amyris wood oil is used in various flavor categories, including vanilla, chocolate, and spice blends. It serves as a background note, providing depth and complexity to the flavor profile. Typical use levels in finished food or beverage products range from 0.1 to 5 ppm, depending on the desired intensity and application.

The oil is relatively stable under normal processing conditions, but care should be taken to avoid excessive heat and oxidation, which can degrade its sensory qualities.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; FEMA GRAS documentation; formulation literature

5. Use in Fragrances

In the fragrance industry, amyris wood oil is valued for its woody and balsamic notes, making it a popular choice in oriental and woody fragrance families. It is often used as a base note, providing longevity and depth to the fragrance composition. Typical concentration ranges in perfumes are from 0.5% to 5%, depending on the desired effect.

The oil's volatility is low, contributing to its role as a base note, and it blends well with other woody and floral notes.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; IFRA; fragrance chemistry texts

5a. Key Constituents (Typical)

• Elemol
• Valerianol
• Eudesmol

The composition of amyris wood oil can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic origin, harvest time, and processing methods. These constituents are primarily responsible for the oil's characteristic aroma and are present in varying proportions.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; peer-reviewed literature; authoritative industry references

6. Regulatory Status (Regional Overview)

• United States: Recognized as GRAS by FEMA for flavor use.
• European Union: Permitted under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008; no specific FL number assigned.
• United Kingdom: Follows EU regulations post-Brexit.
• Asia: Generally accepted in Japan and China, but specific regulations may vary.
• Latin America: Accepted in Brazil and MERCOSUR countries, with some variability in specific applications.

Amyris wood oil is generally recognized as safe for use in both flavors and fragrances, with harmonized assumptions across major markets. However, formulators should verify specific regional requirements.

Citation hooks: FEMA; EFSA; national authority publications

7. Toxicology, Safety & Exposure Considerations

• Oral Exposure: Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for flavor use. No specific ADI or MSDI established, but typical use levels are well below thresholds of concern.
• Dermal Exposure: Considered non-irritating and non-sensitizing at typical fragrance concentrations. IFRA guidelines should be consulted for specific product types.
• Inhalation Exposure: Low volatility reduces inhalation risk, but occupational exposure should be managed with standard ventilation practices.

The safety profile of amyris wood oil is favorable for both food and fragrance applications, with no significant differences in risk profiles between these uses.

Citation hooks: EFSA; FEMA; PubChem; toxicology literature

8. Practical Insights for Formulators

Amyris wood oil is valued for its ability to impart a warm, woody character to both flavors and fragrances. It synergizes well with other woody and balsamic notes, enhancing the overall complexity of the formulation. Common pitfalls include overuse, which can lead to an overpowering aroma, and underuse, which may result in a lack of depth.

Formulators should consider the oil's stability and compatibility with other ingredients to optimize its impact.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; industry practice

9. Confidence & Data Quality Notes

The data on amyris wood oil is well-established, with consistent findings across multiple sources. Industry practices are generally well-documented, although some variability in composition and sensory attributes may occur due to natural factors. Known data gaps include specific odor thresholds and detailed regional regulatory nuances.

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 2026-06-29 12:01:30 GMT (p2)