What is Isopropylideneglyceryl 5-hydroxydecanoate?
Isopropylideneglyceryl 5-hydroxydecanoate (CAS Number: 172201-58-0) is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the class of flavoring agents and adjuvants. It is a derivative combining glycerol with an isopropylidene group and a hydroxydecanoate moiety. This compound is designed to enhance or modify flavors in food formulations, functioning as a flavoring agent rather than providing nutritional value.
Common Uses
This additive is used in the food industry as a flavoring agent or flavoring adjuvant. Flavoring adjuvants are compounds that work alongside primary flavoring agents to enhance, modify, or stabilize flavor profiles in food and beverage products. The specific applications of isopropylideneglyceryl 5-hydroxydecanoate would typically be found in processed foods where complex flavor enhancement is desired, though its use remains limited compared to more established flavoring compounds.
Like many specialized synthetic flavoring agents, it may be used in small quantities in formulations where particular sensory characteristics are desired.
Safety Assessment
According to FDA records, there have been zero reported adverse events associated with isopropylideneglyceryl 5-hydroxydecanoate, and zero product recalls linked to this additive. This absence of reported incidents suggests either minimal consumer exposure, careful use at low levels, or a favorable safety profile in applications where it has been used.
However, the lack of adverse event reports does not automatically indicate comprehensive safety data. The compound has not received GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status from the FDA, which means it has not undergone the standard review process that would classify it as safe for its intended use by qualified experts. This distinction is important: GRAS status requires demonstration of safety based on scientific procedures or long history of safe use.
For flavoring compounds not GRAS-listed, manufacturers typically must provide safety data through a Food Additive Petition (FAP) process or ensure use complies with applicable regulations in jurisdictions where it is permitted.
Regulatory Status
Isopropylideneglyceryl 5-hydroxydecanoate is not FDA GRAS-listed. This means it cannot be used in foods under the assumption of general safety in the United States without prior FDA approval or authorization. Its regulatory status varies by country and region.
In the European Union, flavoring compounds are evaluated under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008. Whether this specific compound appears on EU flavor lists would depend on submission and evaluation by the European Flavourings Association or individual manufacturers.
The restricted regulatory status reflects the need for more comprehensive safety documentation for this synthetic flavoring agent compared to widely-used compounds like vanillin or citral.
Key Studies
Published scientific literature specifically on isopropylideneglyceryl 5-hydroxydecanoate appears limited in publicly available databases. Most safety evaluation data for this compound would exist in proprietary manufacturer submissions to regulatory agencies or within FDA additive petition files.
For specialized synthetic flavoring agents of this type, safety assessments typically consider:
- Acute and chronic toxicity studies
- Potential metabolic pathways and breakdown products
- Genotoxicity and mutagenicity testing
- Allergenicity potential
- Intended use levels and dietary exposure estimates
Manufacturers seeking approval for such compounds must provide this data through official regulatory channels. The absence of GRAS status indicates that such comprehensive documentation has not been publicly evaluated and accepted by the FDA for this particular compound.