What is Cyclopropanecarboxylic Acid (2-isopropyl-5-methyl-cyclohexyl)-amide?
Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-isopropyl-5-methyl-cyclohexyl)-amide, designated by CAS number 977188-03-6, is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the amide class of chemicals. Its structure consists of a cyclopropanecarboxylic acid moiety bonded to a 2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexyl group. This compound is classified as a flavoring agent or flavoring adjuvant in food applications.
Common Uses
This additive functions as a flavoring agent in the food industry, where it is used to enhance or modify the taste and aroma profile of food and beverage products. Like other synthetic flavoring compounds, it is typically used in very small quantities—measured in parts per million (ppm)—to achieve the desired sensory effect. The specific flavor characteristics imparted by this compound would depend on its chemical structure and how it interacts with taste and smell receptors. Synthetic flavoring agents of this type are commonly used in processed foods, beverages, confectionery, and other food products where flavor enhancement or modification is desired.
Safety Assessment
Currently, this additive has not received Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status from the FDA, meaning it has not been formally affirmed through the GRAS notification process. However, the absence of FDA GRAS designation does not necessarily indicate a safety concern—rather, it reflects the regulatory pathway and approval status of the compound.
Available data shows zero adverse events reported to the FDA associated with this substance, and no recalls have been issued related to its use. This absence of reported adverse effects suggests that, to date, no significant safety signals have emerged from its use in food applications.
Safety assessments for synthetic flavor compounds typically evaluate toxicological data, including acute and chronic toxicity studies, genotoxicity, and potential metabolic pathways. The specific safety profile of this compound would be determined through such studies, which are often conducted during the approval and registration process for new flavoring agents.
Regulatory Status
The regulatory status of cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-isopropyl-5-methyl-cyclohexyl)-amide varies by jurisdiction. In the United States, it does not currently hold FDA GRAS status. This means that before being used in food products intended for U.S. commerce, it would require either GRAS notification approval or premarket approval through other regulatory pathways.
In the European Union, flavoring substances are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008, which establishes rules for the use of flavorings in food. Individual flavoring compounds must be evaluated and authorized for use in the EU.
Other regulatory bodies worldwide, including those in Canada, Australia, and Japan, maintain their own approval processes and lists of permitted flavoring substances. The approval status of this compound may differ across different countries and regions.
Key Studies
Specific peer-reviewed studies examining the safety profile of this particular compound are limited in publicly available literature. Like many synthetic flavoring agents, comprehensive toxicological evaluations would have been conducted during development and before any commercial use. These evaluations typically include:
- Acute oral toxicity studies
- Repeat-dose toxicity studies
- Genetic toxicity (genotoxicity) assessments
- Metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies
- Safety margin calculations based on estimated dietary exposure
The absence of adverse events and recalls in FDA databases suggests that any use of this compound in food products has not generated safety signals warranting regulatory action or public health alerts. However, comprehensive published research on this specific compound may be limited, as detailed safety data for many synthetic flavoring agents is maintained in proprietary regulatory submissions rather than public literature.
For the most current information on this additive's regulatory status and any new safety data, consulting with regulatory agencies such as the FDA or reviewing the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21 on food additives is recommended.