Linalyl acetate

Linalyl acetate is the acetate ester of linalool — an ester with sweet, floral, bergamot-like aroma characteristics — found naturally in several plant essential oils including bergamot, clary sage, lavender and citrus oils. It contributes the fresh, perfumed top note of Earl Grey tea (bergamot oil) and many fine fragrances, and the characteristic aroma of lavender. In flavourings it is used at low levels for fruity-floral notes in beverages and confectionery; it degrades with heat, acidity and age (hydrolysing to linalool and acetic acid), so storage and process conditions must protect it.