2-undecen-1-ol, Trans-

Trans-2-undecen-1-ol (CAS Number: 75039-84-8) is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the class of unsaturated alcohols. It is an 11-carbon chain molecule with a double bond between carbons 2 and 3, and a hydroxyl (-OH) functional group at the terminal position. The "trans" designation refers to the geometric configuration of the double bond. As a flavoring agent, it is used in trace amounts to provide sensory characteristics to food and beverage formulations.

Trans-2-undecen-1-ol is employed as a flavoring agent in various processed food and beverage applications where fruity, floral, or slightly fermented aromatic notes are desired. Typical applications may include alcoholic beverages, confectionery products, baked goods, and flavored beverages. Like other synthetic flavor compounds, it is used in extremely small quantities—typically measured in parts per million (ppm)—to achieve the intended sensory effect. The actual consumption levels in foods containing this additive would be negligible.

Trans-2-undecen-1-ol has not been formally evaluated or approved as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. This designation does not automatically indicate a safety concern; rather, it reflects that the substance has not undergone the GRAS notification process or has not been approved through a food additive petition. According to FDA records, there are no reported adverse events or recalls associated with this substance, suggesting no documented safety incidents in the marketplace.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) does not list trans-2-undecen-1-ol in its database of approved flavoring substances in the European Union, indicating it is not authorized for use in EU food products. This regulatory difference highlights the varying approval standards between jurisdictions.

Since this compound is a synthetic alcohol with a simple chemical structure and is used in negligible quantities, the theoretical toxicological risk from exposure through normal food consumption would be expected to be minimal. However, the absence of formal GRAS status means there is no FDA-reviewed toxicology data in the public record specifically supporting its safety in food applications.

Trans-2-undecen-1-ol does not have GRAS approval in the United States. Manufacturers seeking to use this substance in FDA-regulated food products would need to either file a GRAS notification with the FDA or obtain approval through a food additive petition, which involves submitting comprehensive safety data to the agency for review.

The compound is not listed in the FDA's Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR) Part 182 (indirect food additives) or Part 184 (direct food additives affirmed as GRAS). Its legal status in US food production is therefore unclear, and its use may not be permitted without proper regulatory authorization.

International regulatory status varies: it may be approved in some countries under different regulatory frameworks, but it is not authorized in the European Union. Manufacturers exporting food products must comply with the regulations of each target market.

No specific peer-reviewed toxicology studies on trans-2-undecen-1-ol were identified in publicly available scientific literature or FDA databases. The lack of published research on this particular compound is consistent with its non-GRAS, non-widely-used status. Risk assessment would typically rely on structural analogue data and general toxicology principles for unsaturated aliphatic alcohols rather than direct experimental evidence.

The absence of adverse event reports and recalls in FDA records provides some limited assurance regarding real-world safety in any applications where it has been used, though this is not a substitute for formal safety evaluation.