Synthesis of gel air freshener and its stability

Sa？etak Fragrance compounds have been used since antiquity to freshen the air or to mask the odours. Different types of air fresheners are known such as electric air fresheners with 30% market share, sprays, including aerosol air fresheners with 27%, car air fresheners with 16%, gel air fresheners with 9%, candle air fresheners and wax melts with 7 %, liquid air fresheners with 6% and others. According to research studies, in the United States, 34.7% of the population reported health problems, such as migraine headaches and respiratory problems, when exposed to fragranced products. Thus, there are numerous studies with strong evidence that fragmented products can trigger adverse health effects in the general population. Considering that air fresheners have been associated with adverse negative health effects that was the motive for proposing an alternative way of synthesis of gel air fresheners that is more green and more healthy. In this paper the gel air fresheners were synthesized by a simple and green sol-gel reaction using natural biodegradable polymer gelatin and lavender essential oil, as well as with natural banana aroma. The 3D structures of gel air fresheners of desired shapes and odours were ob-tained. The change in the 3D structure at room temperature was evident, probably as a result of thermal degra-dation and water evaporation. Anyway, the gel air freshener obtained with lavender essential oil is more accepta-ble to human health than commercially available ones. The results obtained in this study suggest that further im-provement in stability should take place