Firmenich discovers new method for manufacturing ambergris alternative

摘要

Researchers at Swiss F&F firm Firmenich have developed a method for manufacturing sustainable ambergris and reported their findings in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The process involves sclareol, derived from the clary sage plant (Salvia sclarea), with the bacteria E. coli as a production system. Ambergris has been a prized ingredient in fragrance for centuries. It is a waxy substance secreted by sperm whales, with a sweet, earthy smell. Because it cannot be found except by chance, it is very expensive, so chemists have long turned to substitutes, such as the synthetic molecule Ambrox.