# Ethyl 2-methylpentanoate

> Source URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/ethyl-2-methylpentanoate
> Markdown URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/ethyl-2-methylpentanoate.md

**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 39255-32-8
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Ethyl 2-methylpentanoate is a synthetic ester compound used as a flavoring agent in food products. It provides fruity and apple-like aromatic notes and is employed in small quantities to enhance the sensory profile of various food and beverage formulations.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | not_evaluated |
| Canada | not_evaluated |
| Australia | not_evaluated |
| Japan | not_evaluated |
| South Korea | not_evaluated |
| Brazil | not_evaluated |
| China | not_evaluated |
| India | not_evaluated |

## Detailed analysis

## What is Ethyl 2-methylpentanoate?

Ethyl 2-methylpentanoate is a synthetic ester with the chemical formula C8H16O2 and CAS number 39255-32-8. It belongs to the class of organic compounds known as fatty acid esters, which are formed through the reaction of alcohols and carboxylic acids. This particular compound consists of an ethyl group bonded to a 2-methylpentanoic acid moiety, creating a volatile liquid with characteristic fruity and apple-like organoleptic properties.

As a synthetic flavoring agent, ethyl 2-methylpentanoate is designed to mimic natural fruit flavors and is used in trace amounts to provide or enhance aroma and taste in food products. The compound is volatile, meaning it readily evaporates at room temperature, which contributes to its flavor-delivery properties in food applications.

## Common Uses

Ethyl 2-methylpentanoate is used primarily in the flavor industry as a component of complex flavor formulations. Its applications include:

- Beverage flavoring (fruit-flavored drinks, juices, soft drinks)
- Confectionery and candy products
- Baked goods and desserts
- Dairy products (yogurts, ice cream)
- Savory snack foods
- Alcoholic beverages

The compound is typically used in extremely small quantities—often in the range of parts per million (ppm)—to achieve the desired flavor profile without overwhelming other taste components. Flavorists combine this ester with other aromatic compounds to create complex, multi-dimensional fruit notes.

## Safety Assessment

Ethyl 2-methylpentanoate has not been formally evaluated or granted GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, this designation does not necessarily indicate a safety concern; rather, it reflects that a formal GRAS petition has not been submitted or completed for this particular compound.

The FDA maintains no recorded adverse events or food recalls associated with ethyl 2-methylpentanoate in their databases. The absence of reported adverse events suggests that the compound, when used at typical flavoring concentrations, has not produced documented safety concerns in the food supply.

The safety profile of ester-based flavorings generally is well-established. These compounds are metabolized through standard physiological pathways involving hydrolysis to their component alcohol and acid, followed by normal metabolic processing. The acute toxicity of structurally similar esters is typically low, with oral LD50 values in animal studies generally exceeding 1,000 mg/kg body weight.

As with all food additives, safety depends critically on levels of use. Flavoring agents are applied at extremely low concentrations—typically well below any level that would produce toxicological concern based on structure-activity relationships with similar compounds.

## Regulatory Status

In the United States, ethyl 2-methylpentanoate falls under the regulatory framework for synthetic flavoring substances. While not GRAS-listed, the compound may be used in food under 21 CFR 182.60 for synthetic flavoring substances not separately listed, provided it meets the definition and limitations of food-grade flavoring agents.

The European Union has established flavor regulations under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008, though ethyl 2-methylpentanoate's specific status within EU flavor databases should be verified with current regulatory resources, as flavor chemical databases are regularly updated.

Manufacturers using this compound should ensure it meets specifications for food-grade purity, is produced through food-safe manufacturing practices, and is used at levels consistent with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for flavoring agents.

## Key Studies

Limited peer-reviewed literature specifically addresses ethyl 2-methylpentanoate in isolation. Most supporting evidence derives from:

- General toxicological data for structurally similar aliphatic esters
- Industry stability and sensory evaluation studies
- Structure-activity relationship assessments

The safety assessment of food-grade ester flavorings is often conducted through comparative analysis with related compounds that have established safety margins and metabolic pathways well-characterized in toxicological literature.

## Sources

- FDA Substances Added to Food (CFSAN)
- OpenFDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
- OpenFDA Food Recalls
- EFSA OpenFoodTox
- EU Food Additive Portal

## Citation

Additive Facts. "Ethyl 2-methylpentanoate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/ethyl-2-methylpentanoate. Accessed 2026-05-19.