What is Cis-2-nonen-1-ol?
Cis-2-nonen-1-ol (CAS Number 41453-56-9) is an organic compound belonging to the class of aliphatic alcohols. It exists as a colorless to pale yellow liquid with fruity and slightly floral aromatic characteristics. The compound is found naturally in various fruits and plants, making it a component of natural flavor profiles. Its molecular structure consists of a nine-carbon chain with a hydroxyl group and a double bond in the cis configuration, which contributes to its specific sensory properties.
Common Uses
Cis-2-nonen-1-ol is primarily utilized as a flavoring agent in the food and beverage industry. It is commonly incorporated into:
- Fruit-flavored beverages and soft drinks
- Confectionery and candy products
- Baked goods and desserts
- Dairy products
- Alcoholic beverages
The compound enhances sensory profiles by contributing fruity, melon-like, and slightly green notes to food formulations. Flavor chemists select this compound for its ability to replicate natural fruit flavors and to provide complexity to multi-note flavor systems. Typical usage levels are minimal, generally in the parts per million range, as is standard for flavoring agents.
Safety Assessment
Cis-2-nonen-1-ol has not been formally evaluated through the FDA's GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) petition process. However, it has accumulated a favorable safety profile based on available data. The FDA has received zero adverse event reports associated with this compound and zero product recalls related to its use. This safety record reflects decades of practical use in food applications without documented consumer health incidents.
The compound's safety profile is supported by its structural similarity to other approved flavor alcohols and its presence in nature as a minor component of foods already consumed without apparent harm. Toxicological data on similar nine-carbon alcohol compounds suggests low systemic toxicity when used at typical flavoring concentrations. Like all flavor compounds, exposure through food consumption is substantially lower than exposure levels used in laboratory safety studies.
Regulatory Status
Cis-2-nonen-1-ol operates within a complex regulatory framework that varies by jurisdiction. In the United States, while not GRAS-affirmed, it is permitted for use as a flavoring agent under FDA regulations for food additives. The FDA maintains authority to regulate its use through existing food additive regulations and flavor ingredient guidelines.
In the European Union, this compound may be evaluated under the EFSA's flavor evaluation program, though comprehensive recent assessments are not widely published. Different countries maintain their own flavor ingredient approval lists, and manufacturers must comply with regulations in each market where products are distributed.
The lack of GRAS status does not indicate safety concerns; rather, it reflects that formal petition procedures may not have been pursued or that the compound falls under existing regulatory pathways for flavor ingredients.
Key Studies
Limited peer-reviewed literature specifically addresses cis-2-nonen-1-ol in isolation. However, safety information can be extrapolated from studies on structurally similar compounds and from general knowledge of aliphatic alcohol metabolism. Natural occurrence data and industrial use experience provide practical evidence of safety at food-relevant concentrations.
The absence of adverse events and recalls in FDA databases represents the most comprehensive real-world safety data available for this compound. This zero-incident record over extended commercial use provides reasonable assurance of safety when used as intended in food products at approved levels.