What is Cis-5-isopropenyl-cis-2-methylcyclopentan-1-carboxaldehyde?
Cis-5-isopropenyl-cis-2-methylcyclopentan-1-carboxaldehyde (CAS Number 55253-28-6) is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the class of aldehydes used as a flavoring agent in the food industry. This compound features a cyclopentanone ring structure with an isopropenyl substituent and a carboxaldehyde functional group. Its chemical structure allows it to impart fruity, woody, and slightly spicy flavor notes to food and beverage products.
Common Uses
This flavoring compound is primarily used in the formulation of processed foods, beverages, and flavorings where fruity or woody taste profiles are desired. It may be incorporated into soft drinks, confections, baked goods, and various flavor blend formulations. The compound is typically used in very small quantities, as is standard practice with synthetic flavoring agents, where concentrations are measured in parts per million (ppm). Its specific organoleptic properties make it valuable for creating complex flavor profiles that enhance consumer appeal.
Safety Assessment
According to FDA records, there have been zero reported adverse events and zero recalls associated with this additive. The absence of adverse event reports suggests that any incidents of consumption have not resulted in documented health complaints submitted to regulatory authorities. However, it is important to note that the absence of reported adverse events does not constitute formal safety approval by the FDA.
As a synthetic flavoring compound with limited use in the food supply, extensive toxicological data may be limited compared to more widely used additives. The general safety of flavoring agents at approved usage levels is based on their low exposure levels and the principle that food additives must be used at concentrations many times lower than levels that would produce observable effects in safety studies.
Regulatory Status
This additive has not received FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status. GRAS status indicates that a substance has been determined to be safe for its intended use based on scientific evidence or common use history before 1958. Without GRAS designation, this compound may be used in the United States only as a food additive with appropriate FDA approvals, or potentially under specific regulatory frameworks for flavoring substances.
The compound is listed in various flavor industry databases and may be recognized under international flavor regulations, depending on country-specific approval status. Different regulatory jurisdictions may have varying approval statuses for this particular flavoring agent. Manufacturers using this additive are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable food additive regulations in their respective markets.
Key Studies
Scientific literature on this specific compound is limited, as is typical for minor-use synthetic flavoring agents. Safety evaluations of related cyclopentanone-based flavoring compounds suggest that aldehydes in this chemical class, when used at typical flavoring concentrations, do not present significant safety concerns. The Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) evaluates flavoring substances, and such compounds are often assessed based on chemical structure-activity relationships with known safe compounds.
The safety of synthetic flavoring agents is generally established through a combination of chemical similarity to known safe substances, low use levels, and established absorption and metabolism patterns. Research on related aldehyde compounds indicates they are typically rapidly metabolized by standard detoxification pathways in the body.
Further specific toxicological studies on this particular compound may exist in manufacturer safety files or proprietary databases, though such data is not always publicly available. Regulatory approval in any jurisdiction would be based on submission of appropriate safety data by manufacturers.