BASF Aroma Ingredients innovates with two new Isobionics^® biotech flavor ingredients

• Isobionics^® Natural beta-Sinensal 20 is the first Sinensal single isomer on the market produced using cutting-edge fermentation technology
• Isobionics^® Natural alpha-Humulene 90 is a fermentation-based pure woody flavor ingredient for beverages and essential oil applications  
• New flavor ingredients will be presented at FlavourTalk 2025 in London

Geleen, Netherlands – Isobionics^®, a biotechnology brand of BASF Aroma Ingredients, is launching two new natural ingredients on the flavor market. Isobionics^® Natural beta-Sinensal 20 and Isobionics^® Natural alpha-Humulene 90 are produced using an innovative cutting-edge fermentation process, making them a novelty in the flavor industry. Both new products will be presented for the first time at the FlavourTalk Raw Materials Exhibition 2025, which will take place on March 26-27 at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel Conference Centre in London, United Kingdom.

"We are excited to launch Isobionics^® Natural beta-Sinensal 20 and Isobionics^® Natural alpha-Humulene 90, two high-quality biotech-based innovations for the global flavor industry which our customers have been asking for. We are looking forward to further engaging with our customers to enhance their flavor formulations with these new ingredients!" says Steffen Götz, Vice President of Aroma Ingredients at BASF.

Isobionics^® Natural beta-Sinensal 20: Biotech single note from the heart of an orange

Isobionics^® Natural beta-Sinensal 20 has an aldehydic, citrus (tangerine and mandarin) peel taste and odor with marine and algae notes at a use level of 0.1-10 ppm. Additionally, it helps highlight odor compositions with a fresh effect and taste compositions with a slightly metallic effect.

The main advantage of this innovative flavor ingredient is that it is not extracted from orange oil, which opens up the potential for wide use in flavor applications. It adds juiciness and freshness to any fruit flavor from mango to berry, including all citrus flavors. In addition, it shows potent effects in savory formulations such as fish, meat and tomato flavors. Last but not least, it is perfect for enhancing the organoleptic properties of orange oil products.

Isobionics^® Natural beta-Sinensal 20 meets EU and US food-grade standards¹, complies with Reg. (EC) 1334/2008 and can be labelled as natural flavouring preparation in the EU, with FEMA/GRAS number approval expected in June 2025. The product is EU and US natural², pesticide-free³ as well as kosher, halal and ISO 22000 certified.

Isobionics^® Natural alpha-Humulene 90: New pure woody taste for beverages and essential oil applications

Isobionics^® Natural alpha-Humulene 90 tastes like woody cedar, piney, damp wood and sawdust with a terpineol note at 5-20 ppm use level. The odor is dry woody, resinous, also cedar, piney and patchouli-like, slightly grapefruit and herbal.  This flavor ingredient has a very high purity and is suitable for non-alcoholic as well as alcoholic beverages – especially for mango, raspberry, mint and citrus flavors. Furthermore, it's the perfect choice for hop oil applications. 

Isobionics^® Natural alpha-Humulene 90 is meeting EU and US food-grade standards¹ and has received the new FEMA number 5077. The product is EU and US natural², pesticide-free³ as well as kosher, halal and ISO 22000 certified.

Premium quality and reliable availability

Both ingredients are produced via fermentation from readily available renewable raw materials. This process is independent of weather and harvest conditions and allows us to guarantee a consistent premium quality as well as reliable availability.

Fostering innovation through revamped organizational set-up

The launches of Isobionics^® Natural beta-Sinensal 20 and Isobionics^® Natural alpha-Humulene 90 are part of BASF's ongoing investment in innovation. Last year, BASF Aroma Ingredients sharpened its global business management organization to focus on strategic portfolio pillars. The new organizational structure includes a dedicated team for Specialty Aroma Ingredients that is fully engaged in driving product innovations in keeping with current and future trends. The team is led by Felix Gard, who also succeeded Toine Janssen as Managing Director for Isobionics^®. "We are dedicated to leveraging our Isobionics^® Biotech platform in order to develop new and innovative aroma ingredients that meet the needs of our customers. Our newest additions to the Isobionics^® portfolio are the result of these innovation efforts, with more exciting ingredients to come!" says Felix Gard, Managing Director of Isobionics^® and Head of Specialty Aroma Ingredients.

Customers are invited to reach out to their designated sales contacts for the opportunity to experience our latest flavor ingredient innovations as part of an exclusive demonstration or by ordering a product sample.

About Isobionics^®

At Isobionics^®, we are a highly innovative and strongly customer-driven team focusing on natural aroma ingredients and passionate about the fragrance and flavor industry. We produce our products from renewable raw materials using cutting-edge fermentation technology. The proprietary process is unique in the world and ensures the constant high quality and availability of our products, independent from weather and harvest conditions. We are located in Geleen, the Netherlands, and are part of BASF's aroma ingredients business. For more information, please visit our homepage www.isobionics.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion in 2024. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

¹ Produced in accordance with Reg. (EC) 178/2002 and (EC) 852/2004 (Hygiene, HACCAP concept). Complies with US regulation 21 CFR 182.1 and is of food grade quality.
² Natural according to the (EC) No 1334/2008, Article 16 for EU, CFR 101.22(a)(3) for US and ISO 9235 standards.​
³ Regular checks performed according to DIN-EN 15662. List of commodity/pesticide combination can be made available upon request.

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