In short
Nutmeg CO2 extract is a carbon-dioxide extract of nutmeg seeds. It is warm, spicy and balsamic.
What Nutmeg CO2 Extract smells like
Parchem's specification for a nutmeg oil CO2 extract gives the odour as warm, spicy, balsamic and nutmeg-like, a dark orange viscous liquid. A perfumery retailer describes spicy, warm and slightly musky notes. A study of supercritical CO2 fractionation of nutmeg found the volatile fraction dominated by myristicin, sabinene and the pinenes; another found steam-distilled and CO2-extracted nutmeg oils almost similar in composition.
- Leading note
- Nutmeg
- Clear facets
- Warm spice
- Supporting facets
- Balsamic
- Faint facets
- Musky
- Character
- Warm
What makes Nutmeg CO2 Extract distinctive
Nutmeg with a fuller, warmer and more balsamic body than the oil.
How Nutmeg CO2 Extract is used
Used for a natural nutmeg in spicy, woody and gourmand accords.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Nutmeg CO2 Extract differs from similar materials
- Nutmeg Oil
- Nutmeg oil is the fresh, terpenic-spicy distillate; the CO2 extract is described as warmer and balsamic, with a close composition.
Each difference compares the published descriptions of the two materials. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Formulation considerations
Contains myristicin and safrole like other nutmeg extracts; check the IFRA Standards that apply to them.
Identity and classification
- Type
- CO2 extract
- Origin
- Natural
- Odour family
- Spicy / Woody
- Note position
- Top to heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Viscous liquid
- Also known as
- Nutmeg CO2
- Botanical source
- Myristica fragrans Houtt.
No CAS number is shown: suppliers use different identifiers for this material, and none could be confirmed as its own.
Safety and compliance
This page is general information, not a safety assessment or a specification. Confirm identity, composition, IFRA status and allergen content from your supplier's documents for the lot you hold.
Materials it works with
-
Nutmeg Oil
Essential oil · Spicy / Woody — spicy, warm, woody, sweet
-
Mace Oil
Essential oil · Spicy / Woody — spicy, warm, sweet, woody
-
Clove Bud Oil
Essential oil · Spicy / Floral — clove, spicy, warm, sweet
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 8 published formulas
Nutmeg CO2 Extract is an ingredient in 4 perfume formulas, 2 accords and 2 bases in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Nutmeg CO2 Extract
Is Nutmeg CO2 Extract natural or synthetic?
Nutmeg CO2 Extract is natural. It is an extract obtained from plant material with carbon dioxide under pressure (supercritical or subcritical), with no solvent left behind.
Which published formulas use Nutmeg CO2 Extract?
Nutmeg CO2 Extract is used in 8 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Banana Bread, Cardamom Crema and Fougere Base. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- Parchem — nutmeg oil CO2 extract — distributor's description.
- The Good Scents Company — nutmeg CO2 extract — odour database.
- PubMed — Supercritical CO2 fractionation of nutmeg — published literature.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 24 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.