What is 10-undecen-1-yl Acetate?
10-undecen-1-yl Acetate (CAS Number: 112-19-6) is a synthetic organic compound classified as a flavoring agent and adjuvant. It is an ester formed from the combination of 10-undecen-1-ol and acetic acid. This colorless to pale yellow liquid possesses fruity and slightly floral organoleptic properties, making it suitable for imparting desirable taste and aroma profiles to food and beverage products.
Common Uses
This flavoring compound is utilized in the food industry primarily in processed foods, beverages, baked goods, confectionery, and dairy products. As a flavoring adjuvant, it enhances or modifies the sensory characteristics of final food products rather than serving as a primary flavoring ingredient. Its fruity character makes it particularly valuable in formulations targeting fruit-flavored products, including soft drinks, flavored waters, candies, and dessert preparations.
Safety Assessment
According to FDA records, 10-undecen-1-yl Acetate has generated zero reported adverse events and zero product recalls associated with its use in food. The compound is generally recognized as a flavoring substance used in food manufacturing at levels consistent with flavoring practice.
The chemical structure of 10-undecen-1-yl Acetate—an aliphatic ester with an unsaturated fatty acid backbone—suggests a profile comparable to naturally occurring or naturally derived esters used extensively in food flavoring. These types of compounds are metabolized by the body through standard esterase pathways, similar to dietary fats and other food constituents.
Exposure levels to this flavoring agent are typically very low, as it is used in small quantities to achieve desired flavor effects. Typical usage levels for synthetic flavoring agents of this type in food products range from parts per million (ppm) to low parts per billion (ppb) concentrations, well below levels that would present toxicological concern.
Regulatory Status
10-undecen-1-yl Acetate is not listed on the FDA's GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) database as a food ingredient with formal GRAS affirmation. However, this does not indicate the compound is unsafe; rather, it reflects that a formal GRAS petition or notification may not have been submitted or publicly documented. The absence of a GRAS listing does not prevent its use in food products if it complies with applicable FDA regulations for food additives and flavoring substances.
In the United States, flavor compounds may be used in food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act if they meet regulatory requirements for food additives. The FDA maintains regulations for indirect food additives and flavoring substances of natural origin and their synthetic equivalents under 21 CFR Part 182.
No bans, restrictions, or adverse regulatory actions have been documented for this compound in major regulatory jurisdictions.
Key Studies
Published scientific literature on 10-undecen-1-yl Acetate specifically is limited. However, research on structurally similar aliphatic esters and unsaturated fatty acid derivatives consistently demonstrates low toxicity profiles when used in food flavoring applications. These compounds are readily metabolized and do not accumulate in body tissues.
The zero adverse event history and absence of recalls in FDA databases provide empirical evidence of safe use within current food application parameters. Continued monitoring through post-market surveillance systems remains standard practice for all food additives.