What is (E)-4-undecenal?
(E)-4-undecenal, identified by CAS Number 68820-35-9, is an unsaturated aliphatic aldehyde belonging to the class of organic compounds used in food flavoring. The compound features an 11-carbon chain with a double bond in the E (trans) configuration at the fourth position and an aldehyde functional group. It is a volatile organic compound that contributes fruity, floral, and slightly fatty aromatic characteristics to food products.
Common Uses
(E)-4-undecenal is utilized as a flavoring agent or flavor adjuvant in the food industry. Its primary applications include:
- Beverage flavoring, particularly in fruit-flavored drinks and juices
- Confectionery and candy production
- Dairy products, including flavored milk and yogurt
- Baked goods and snack foods
- Savory food preparations
The compound is valued for its ability to enhance and modify flavor profiles without adding caloric content or requiring large quantities. As with many synthetic flavoring compounds, only minimal amounts are needed to achieve the desired sensory effect.
Safety Assessment
Based on available data, (E)-4-undecenal demonstrates a favorable safety profile for use as a food additive. Key safety observations include:
- **FDA Adverse Events**: Zero reported adverse events associated with this compound have been documented in FDA databases.
- **Recalls**: No FDA recalls have been issued related to products containing (E)-4-undecenal.
- **Toxicology**: As an aldehyde compound, (E)-4-undecenal undergoes standard metabolic processing similar to other volatile organic compounds. The compound is typically used at concentrations measured in parts per million, well below levels of toxicological concern.
The lack of reported adverse events and regulatory actions suggests the compound has established a safety history in food applications. However, as with all food additives, individual sensitivity or allergic response remains theoretically possible, though no patterns have been identified.
Regulatory Status
(E)-4-undecenal is **not currently approved as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)** by the FDA under 21 CFR Part 182. This designation does not necessarily indicate safety concerns; rather, it reflects that the compound either has not undergone formal GRAS petition review or does not meet specific criteria for that classification.
Manufacturers may legally use this compound in food under the Food Additives Amendment if it has been submitted to and approved by the FDA as a food additive, or if it meets other regulatory pathways. Its use is permitted in countries with established flavoring regulations, though approval status varies by jurisdiction.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) maintains its own evaluation procedures for flavoring compounds. Manufacturers seeking to use (E)-4-undecenal in regulated markets must comply with country-specific ingredient approval lists and documentation requirements.
Key Studies
Scientific literature on (E)-4-undecenal remains limited in the public domain. Available information derives primarily from:
- General toxicology studies on aliphatic aldehyde compounds
- Metabolism studies of similar unsaturated volatile organic compounds
- Flavor threshold and sensory evaluation research
- Regulatory submissions and industry safety assessments
The compound's chemical structure and metabolic pathway suggest it is rapidly metabolized and cleared from the body, similar to other volatile flavor compounds. No chronic toxicity studies or carcinogenicity assessments have raised safety concerns in available literature.
As with emerging or less-studied flavoring compounds, continued monitoring through post-market surveillance systems remains appropriate to identify any unexpected patterns or adverse events.