Researchers of the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) underwent an in-depth training on sensory evaluation and fragrance making under renowned Filipino perfumer Oscar Mejia III last Sept. 17 and 18.
Dubbed “Art in Olfaction: A Fragrance Creation Experience,” the training upskilled DOST-FPRDI researchers in formulating alcohol- and oil-based fragrances. They were also taught how to assess and differentiate various scent components to help identify and isolate specific fragrance notes. Aging and storing blends were also tackled, along with laboratory requirements and testing procedures.
DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr expressed hopes for a reinvigorated essential oils industry. “The local essential oils industry has so much potential especially because of the country’s vast resource of aromatic plants. With R&D and innovations developed by DOST-FPRDI, and the strong linkage with partner organizations, the essential oils industry can be a significant economic driver that can create opportunities for the local economies,” he said.
“This move will further strengthen our researchers’ ability to develop fragrance products. After this training, we look forward to crafting more innovative and balanced perfume formulations using local essential oils,” said DOST-FPRDI OIC Director Rico J. Cabangon.
Mejia discusses concepts that allow participants to understand the complexity of raw materials interaction, creating a unique ‘storytelling’ via the perfume’s scent profile
The training is part of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Scentsories Inc, a company owned by Mejia that is engaged in making fragrance products and other consumer goods. Scentsories is one of the institute’s partner-cooperators for the DOST-GIA-funded project “Green Fragrance with Purpose: Extraction, Characterization, and Functionality of Selected Nonwood Forest Products as Scent Product.”
MOA signed last July 9. An expert in crafting aromatic fragrances, Mejia has had formal training in Paris and Grasse, France, and is also under the mentorship of internationally recognized French perfumer Nicolas de Barry
The project aims to develop fragrances from selected aromatic plant species using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE)—a process that guarantees higher and better recovery rate, faster extraction time, and lower operating costs than common methods of oil extraction. It also targets to widen the raw materials base by studying different Philippine aromatic plants, and formulating fragrance products from the extracted essential oils.
According to Cabangon, the partnership will provide “fresh insight and an immersive olfactory experience into the institute’s R&D venture in the art and science of preparing fragrance products from local essential oils and pharmaceuticals.”
“With DOST-FPRDI being one of the experts in natural product utilization, this venture will create an opportunity for the ethical sourcing, traceability, and an exciting venture in the essential oil industry and fine fragrance market,” he added.
The Green Fragrance project is monitored by the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and will run until February 2026. (Apple Jean C. Martin- de Leon/DOST-FPRDI)