styrax gum (liquidambar styraciflua)

Styrax gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), also known as Styrax balsam or storax gum, is a natural resinous exudate obtained from the American sweetgum tree, Liquidambar styraciflua. This balsamic gum presents as a viscous liquid or semi-solid resin characterized by a medium-intensity, sweet balsamic odor with woody and amber nuances. It is recognized for its distinctive sweet, balsamic, and honey-like aroma profile, accompanied by spicy and animalic undertones as reported in sensory evaluations. The resin is recorded in chemical databases such as PubChem and is sourced primarily via collection of exudations from the tree’s bark. Styrax gum is utilized in flavoring and fragrance industries due to its complex scent and taste attributes.

Styrax gum is naturally exuded from the Liquidambar styraciflua tree, commonly found in North America. Its biologically plant-derived origin lends it to use in flavoring agents and fragrance formulations. Specifically, it serves as an ingredient in classical and modern perfumes, contributing balsamic and woody notes; it has been noted for use in iconic fragrances such as Chanel No. 5 and Joy. The gum is applied in flavored food products under regulation by FEMA (US), which assigns it number 3036, classifying it as a flavoring agent and adjuvant. IFRA (Global) restricts crude gum usage to extracts, resinoids, absolutes, and oils prepared from the exudate, ensuring manufacturing standards and limiting concentrations to promote safe use.

Styrax gum exhibits solubility in ethanol and benzyl benzoate and has limited water solubility, estimated at approximately 2911 mg/L at 25 °C. It features a flash point around 100 °C (212 °F), indicating flammability under appropriate conditions. The gum's viscous nature and aromatic balsamic compounds contribute to a medium substantivity in olfactory applications, maintaining scent persistence over extended hours at 20 % dilution. These properties influence its incorporation into formulations where solvent compatibility and safety parameters guide usage levels, often necessitating dilution or extraction for optimal performance and compliance with fragrance restrictions.

FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS):	View
Export Tariff Code:	1301.90.0000
FDA Listing of Food Additive Status:	View
Wikipedia:	View

Safety information

Preferred SDS: View
European information :
Most important hazard(s):
Xi - Irritant
R 36/38 - Irritating to skin and eyes. S 02 - Keep out of the reach of children. S 24/25 - Avoid contact with skin and eyes. S 26 - In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. S 36 - Wear suitable protective clothing.
Hazards identification
Classification of the substance or mixture
GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)
None found.
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram
Hazard statement(s)
None found.
Precautionary statement(s)
None found.
Oral/Parenteral Toxicity:
Not determined
Dermal Toxicity:
Not determined
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined

Safety in use information

Category:
flavoring agents and adjuvants
IFRA fragrance material specification:
	Crude gums of Liquidambar styraficula L. var. macrophylla or Liquidambar orientalis Mill. should not be used as fragrance ingredients: Only extracts or distillates (resinoids, absolutes and oils), prepared from exudations of Liquidambar styraciflua L. var. macrophylla or Liquidambar orientalis Mill., can be used.This recommendation is made in order to promote good manufacturing practice (GMP) for the use of styrax derivatives as fragrance ingredients. It is based on a wide variety of RIFM test data with gums, resinoids, absolutes and oils of American and Asian styrax (private communication to IFRA).
limits in the finished product for - "leave on the skin contact":
	0.6000 % Restriction.
limits in the finished product for - "wash off the skin contact":
	0.6000 % Restriction.
limits in the finished product for - "no skin contact":
	0.6000 % Restriction.
Recommendation for styrax gum (liquidambar styraciflua) usage levels up to:
	PROHIBITED: Should not be used as a fragrance ingredient.
Use levels for FEMA GRAS flavoring substances on which the FEMA Expert Panel based its judgments that the substances are generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
The Expert Panel also publishes separate extensive reviews of scientific information on all FEMA GRAS flavoring substances and can be found at FEMA Flavor Ingredient Library
publication number: 3
Click here to view publication 3
		average usual ppm	average maximum ppm
baked goods:		-	23.00000
beverages(nonalcoholic):		-	2.00000
beverages(alcoholic):		-	-
breakfast cereal:		-	-
cheese:		-	-
chewing gum:		-	300.00000
condiments / relishes:		-	-
confectionery froastings:		-	-
egg products:		-	-
fats / oils:		-	-
fish products:		-	-
frozen dairy:		-	2.00000
fruit ices:		-	2.00000
gelatins / puddings:		-	-
granulated sugar:		-	-
gravies:		-	-
hard candy:		-	13.00000
imitation dairy:		-	-
instant coffee / tea:		-	-
jams / jellies:		-	-
meat products:		-	-
milk products:		-	-
nut products:		-	-
other grains:		-	-
poultry:		-	-
processed fruits:		-	-
processed vegetables:		-	-
reconstituted vegetables:		-	-
seasonings / flavors:		-	-
snack foods:		-	-
soft candy:		-	-
soups:		-	-
sugar substitutes:		-	-
sweet sauces:		-	-

Safety references

EPI System: View

Daily Med:search

EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):8046-19-3

EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data

SCCNFP:opinion

WGK Germany:1

liquidambar styraciflua gum

Chemidplus:0008046193

EPA/NOAA CAMEO:hazardous materials