What is 2-trans-6-trans-nonadienal?
2-trans-6-trans-nonadienal (CAS Number: 17587-33-6) is an unsaturated aldehyde classified as a flavoring agent. This nine-carbon compound features two double bonds in the trans configuration, contributing to its distinctive sensory profile. The compound occurs naturally in various plant sources, including cucumbers and certain herbs, where it contributes to their characteristic flavor and aroma profiles.
Common Uses
As a flavoring agent, 2-trans-6-trans-nonadienal is used in small quantities to impart or enhance flavors in food and beverage products. It is typically employed in:
- Flavored beverages and soft drinks
- Seasonings and spice blends
- Savory snack foods
- Processed meat and poultry products
- Condiments and sauces
- Dairy-based flavorings
The compound is valued in the flavor industry for its ability to provide fresh, green, or cucumber-like notes at very low concentrations, often measured in parts per million (ppm).
Safety Assessment
The available safety data for 2-trans-6-trans-nonadienal shows no documented adverse events reported to the FDA, and no food recalls have been associated with this ingredient. The compound's natural occurrence in food sources suggests a history of safe human consumption at levels naturally present in foods.
As with most flavoring agents used in food applications, the concentrations used are typically very small—often below sensory thresholds for many consumers. The safety of food additives is generally established through a combination of factors: natural occurrence, historical use, chemical stability data, and toxicological testing when available.
While this compound has not received formal FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status through the official petition process, the absence of reported adverse events and recalls suggests it has been used without documented safety concerns in commercial applications.
Regulatory Status
2-trans-6-trans-nonadienal has not obtained formal GRAS status from the FDA, meaning it has not undergone the agency's official GRAS determination process. However, it may be used under FDA regulations as a flavoring substance if it complies with applicable regulations for food additives and does not exceed established limits of use.
Flavoring agents in the United States are regulated under 21 CFR Part 182 (Substances Generally Recognized as Safe) and 21 CFR Part 184 (Direct Food Substances Affirmed as GRAS). The absence of GRAS status does not necessarily indicate a safety concern; rather, it reflects that a formal determination petition may not have been submitted to the FDA for this specific compound.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) maintains separate evaluations for food flavoring substances used in EU member states, which may provide additional regulatory guidance for international manufacturers.
Key Studies
Limited published toxicological data is readily available for 2-trans-6-trans-nonadienal compared to more widely used food additives. The flavor industry typically relies on several types of safety information:
- **Natural occurrence data**: Documentation of the compound's presence in foods and plants used safely in human diets
- **Chemical structure analysis**: Comparison to structurally similar compounds with established safety profiles
- **Use level documentation**: Records of actual concentrations used in food products
- **Stability studies**: Data on how the compound behaves in food matrices
Manufacturers using this flavoring agent maintain proprietary safety data and specification documents that establish the suitability of their products for their intended uses. The flavor industry often conducts unpublished studies that inform safe use levels.
Researchers and food safety professionals interested in more detailed toxicological information should contact the ingredient manufacturer or consult the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) GRAS list database for any available FEMA GRAS determinations or historical safety assessments.