RIFM has fragrance ingredients under review

The expert panel has asked for further information on a group of compounds called alkyl cyclic ketones.

Alkyl cyclic ketones ​

A ketone is an organic compound with a structure RC(=O)R1, in which R and R1 can be a variety of atoms and groups of atoms.

Ketones of varying lengths are found widely in nature, contributing to flavours and odours in animals and plants.

Cyclic ketones simply have a ring formation, with the odour related to the ring size, thus the larger the ring size, the stronger the odour.

An alkyl group, generally abbreviated to R, is a group or side chain consisting solely of single-bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms such as the methyl group; –CH3.

Thus an alkyl group bonded to a ringed ketone forms an alkyl cyclic ketone.

The six compounds to be reviewed include,

• 1-(3,3-Dimethylcyclohexyl)ethan-1-one;
• Methyl 2,6,10-trimethylcyclododeca-2,5,9-trien-1-yl ketone;
• 1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-Octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)ethanone;
• 1-(5,5-Dimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)pent-4-en-1-one;
• Acetyl cedrene;
• 1-(2,6,6-Trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)pent-1-en-3-one.

Routine evaluation​

Members of a larger group of materials, the six compounds will be reviewed in September 2011, as part of a routine evaluation process to establish safe use levels.

After the review is complete, provided no additional studies are required, the expert panel will publish the results in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

The publication of the safety assessment could take from six months up to a year following the results of the review.

According to a spokesperson from RIFM, the publication will detail all the materials in the group as well as the relevant data used to evaluate the materials.

Additionally, the publication will provide a summary and conclusion of the safety assessment.

Upon reaching a conclusion, the panel will usually say ‘safe to use at reported levels’. If any harmful effects are noted, restrictions will be published as an International Fragrance Association (IFRA) standard.

RIFM is an international scientific authority for the safe use of fragrance materials; it generates, evaluates and distributes scientific data on the safety assessment of fragrance raw materials found in personal care products.

The global fragrance industry collectively carries out research on fragrance ingredients through RIFM; consequently, an independent expert panel regularly reviews RIFM’s research and publishes its evaluations in peer-reviewed scientific journals, available publicly.