What is 2-undecen-1-ol?
2-undecen-1-ol (CAS Number: 37617-03-1) is an unsaturated aliphatic alcohol with eleven carbon atoms. It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic fruity and floral odor. The compound exists naturally in small quantities in various fruits and plant materials, and is synthetically manufactured for use as a flavoring ingredient in the food industry.
Common Uses
2-undecen-1-ol is utilized primarily as a flavoring agent and flavor adjuvant in food manufacturing. It is employed in the formulation of:
- Alcoholic beverages and spirits
- Non-alcoholic drinks and soft drinks
- Confectionery and candy products
- Baked goods and snack foods
- Dairy products
- Savory processed foods
The compound's fruity and slightly floral character makes it valuable for creating complex flavor profiles in food and beverage applications. As a flavor adjuvant, it may enhance or modify the sensory characteristics of other flavoring components.
Safety Assessment
2-undecen-1-ol has not received formal FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status. However, the compound has a favorable safety profile based on available data. The FDA maintains no recorded adverse events or product recalls associated with this additive, indicating no documented safety incidents in the food supply.
The absence of reported adverse events combined with its naturally-occurring presence in foods suggests a low risk profile. The compound is not listed on the FDA's prohibited additives list and does not carry specific restrictions in major food-producing jurisdictions.
As with all flavoring agents, 2-undecen-1-ol is used at very low concentrations in food products—typically in parts per million ranges—which significantly reduces potential exposure risk. The low levels at which it functions as a flavoring agent are consistent with traditional safety margins for food additives.
Regulatory Status
2-undecen-1-ol's regulatory classification varies by region:
**United States**: The compound is not on the FDA's GRAS list but is permitted for use in food flavorings. It may be used under FDA regulations governing synthetic flavoring substances (21 CFR 182.60), provided it meets specifications for purity and quality.
**European Union**: The additive is listed in the EU's flavoring register as a substance permitted for use in foodstuffs, subject to applicable purity criteria and usage restrictions.
**International**: The compound is recognized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) in their lists of acceptable flavoring materials.
Regulatory status does not require formal GRAS certification for a substance to be legally used in food flavoring applications. Many flavoring agents operate under pre-existing regulatory frameworks that allow their use based on historical safety data and manufacturing standards.
Key Studies
Limited published peer-reviewed research specifically addresses 2-undecen-1-ol toxicity or safety endpoints. This is typical for minor flavoring compounds, where regulatory approval often relies on:
- Historical use data and industry safety assessments
- Chemical structure similarity to approved compounds
- Low-level exposure profiles in food applications
- Manufacturing purity standards and specifications
The lack of documented adverse events in FDA records, combined with its natural occurrence and low-concentration use, provides empirical evidence of safe application in food systems. The compound's chemical structure—an unsaturated primary alcohol—does not suggest significant toxicological concerns based on established principles of structure-activity relationships in food safety.
Manufacturers and regulatory bodies maintain safety specifications for impurities and degradation products to ensure quality control. Continued monitoring through post-market surveillance systems provides ongoing safety assurance.