What is 4-hydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-2,4-nonadienoic Acid Gamma Lactone?
4-hydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-2,4-nonadienoic acid gamma lactone (CAS Number: 774-64-1) is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the lactone family of flavoring chemicals. Lactones are cyclic esters that naturally occur in fruits, dairy products, and other foods, contributing characteristic fruity and creamy sensory notes. This particular compound is manufactured synthetically for use as a flavoring agent in the food industry.
The chemical structure contains a nine-carbon chain backbone with specific functional groups—a hydroxyl group, two methyl substituents, and a conjugated diene system—all incorporated into a gamma lactone ring structure. This specific arrangement of atoms contributes to its distinctive flavor profile.
Common Uses
As a flavoring agent, 4-hydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-2,4-nonadienoic acid gamma lactone is used in very small quantities to enhance or create fruity and coconut flavor characteristics in processed foods and beverages. Typical applications include:
- Flavored dairy products (yogurts, flavored milk)
- Beverage flavorings (fruit juices, soft drinks)
- Confectionery and candy products
- Baked goods and desserts
- Flavored snack foods
Like other synthetic flavoring compounds, it is used at minimal levels—typically in the parts per million (ppm) range—to achieve desired sensory effects. The small quantities employed reflect both the potency of the flavoring compound and established food safety practices for synthetic flavorings.
Safety Assessment
No adverse events have been reported to the FDA concerning this flavoring compound, and no recalls associated with its use appear in FDA records. This absence of documented safety incidents in the United States market suggests it has been used without apparent harm in commercial food applications.
However, the compound has not received FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status. GRAS designation requires either substantial scientific literature demonstrating safe use or formal FDA review and approval of safety data. The lack of GRAS status does not necessarily indicate a safety concern; rather, it may reflect limited commercial use, insufficient submission of safety data to the FDA, or that the compound falls outside typical GRAS petition pathways.
The safety profile of synthetic lactones as a class is generally well-established, with many lactone flavorings approved for food use in the United States and Europe. Individual lactone compounds typically undergo toxicological assessment before commercial deployment, including acute toxicity testing and, for compounds with greater exposure potential, more extensive studies.
Regulatory Status
In the United States, this compound is not on the FDA's GRAS list. However, it may be used in foods under FDA's Food Additive Regulations if the manufacturer has submitted appropriate safety data, or under specific regulatory provisions for flavoring substances. The regulatory pathway and approval status may vary by country.
In the European Union, this compound would need to comply with Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 on flavorings and their use in foods. The European Flavoring Industry typically maintains detailed safety assessments for approved flavorings through the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) GRAS program or equivalent European review mechanisms.
Importers and manufacturers using this flavoring should verify its regulatory status in their specific target markets, as approval and restrictions for synthetic flavoring compounds vary internationally.
Key Studies
Specific published peer-reviewed studies focused solely on this lactone compound are limited in public scientific literature. Safety evaluation of synthetic lactone flavorings generally relies on:
- Chemical structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis comparing the compound to structurally similar approved flavorings
- Standard toxicological testing protocols for flavor compounds
- Exposure assessment based on typical flavoring usage levels
- General toxicology literature on lactone compounds as a chemical class
The limited publicly available research on this specific compound underscores the importance of manufacturers maintaining proprietary safety documentation and following appropriate regulatory procedures for synthetic flavoring additives.